“We had strong commitment, and every player made a maximum contribution, which helped us win the Major Club three-day league championship,” said Colts CC skipper Dhananjaya Lakshan in an interview with the Daily News yesterday.
Colts CC secured the title after a closely contested battle with Ace Capital CC, finishing ahead by a narrow margin of 0.970 points. This marks Colts’ seventh title in their 153-year history, ending a 14-year drought. Their last championship win came in the 2011–12 season, when the tournament was played for the Premier League Trophy under the captaincy of Malinda Warnapura.
According to Lakshan, discipline and teamwork played a crucial role in their success.
“We maintained strong team discipline throughout the tournament and never relied on just one or two players. Every member stepped up and contributed to the team’s success,” he said.
“We remained unbeaten throughout the tournament to finish on top. In our final match against NCC at Pallekele, we faced a tough task to gain a first-innings win after they posted 431 runs. Experienced Dinesh Chandimal set the tone with his third century of the tournament, scoring 144. By the end of the second day, we were 280 for 6.
“On the final day, No. 7 batter Sanoj Dharshika played a fighting century, while the last four wickets added 161 runs to give us the first-innings lead. Our plan was for Dharshika to anchor one end while the lower order supported him, and it worked perfectly.”
Lakshan also highlighted the influence of senior players Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, whose contributions provided a significant advantage to the team. He further acknowledged the support of Colts CC Cricket and Grounds Secretary Manuja Kariyapperuma for his continuous encouragement and motivation.
Chandimal emerged as the team’s leading batter, scoring 849 runs with three centuries and three fifties at an average of 65.30. Other notable contributors included Sangeeth Cooray (508 runs), Angelo Mathews (480), Muditha Lakshan (457), Ravindu Rashantha (437), skipper Dhananjaya Lakshan (391), Dunith Wellalage (246 in four matches), and Sanoj Dharshika (202). These performances reflected the team’s overall balance and collective contribution.
In the bowling department, experienced off-spinner Akila Dananjaya dominated with 53 wickets, including best figures of 7 for 39. He recorded two four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls. Pacemen Kavishka Anjula (23 wickets, best 5 for 54) and Udith Madushan (20 wickets, best 4 for 34) made notable impacts, while spinners Dunith Wellalage and Muditha Lakshan backed them up effectively.
“We had excellent preparation under head coach Anil Redeegammangedera. Assistant coach Wasantha Thushara, fielding coach Sewmina Tharaka, and physiotherapist Rajee also played important roles. Cricket Secretary Manuja Kariyapperuma remained closely involved, and club officials, including President Nishantha Ranatunga, Secretary Rt. Major General Shiran Abeysekara, and Vice Presidents Chaminda Mendis and Chaminda Vaas, supported the team throughout.”
“The players were determined to win, especially after missing out on the title since 2012. After 14 years, we finally achieved it through strong team spirit, and full credit goes to all the players,” Lakshan added.
Eight Colts CC players—Ravindu Rashantha, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Muditha Lakshan, Kavishka Anjula, Akila Dananjaya, Udith Madushan, and Dilshan Madushanka—have been selected for the upcoming National Super League tournament. Meanwhile, Dunith Wellalage is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League.
Colts CC squad: Dhananjaya Lakshan (Captain), Ravindu Rashantha, Sangeeth Cooray, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Muditha Lakshan, Sanoj Dharshika, Sukitha Manoj, Kavishka Anjula, Akila Dananjaya, Udith Madushan, Dunith Wellalage, Sheran Fonseka, Shyamsundar Krishnashriram, Yohan Mendis, Harshana Wickramasinghe, Anil Redeegammangedera (Head Coach).
Colts CC secured the title after a closely contested battle with Ace Capital CC, finishing ahead by a narrow margin of 0.970 points. This marks Colts’ seventh title in their 153-year history, ending a 14-year drought. Their last championship win came in the 2011–12 season, when the tournament was played for the Premier League Trophy under the captaincy of Malinda Warnapura.
According to Lakshan, discipline and teamwork played a crucial role in their success.
“We maintained strong team discipline throughout the tournament and never relied on just one or two players. Every member stepped up and contributed to the team’s success,” he said.
“We remained unbeaten throughout the tournament to finish on top. In our final match against NCC at Pallekele, we faced a tough task to gain a first-innings win after they posted 431 runs. Experienced Dinesh Chandimal set the tone with his third century of the tournament, scoring 144. By the end of the second day, we were 280 for 6.
“On the final day, No. 7 batter Sanoj Dharshika played a fighting century, while the last four wickets added 161 runs to give us the first-innings lead. Our plan was for Dharshika to anchor one end while the lower order supported him, and it worked perfectly.”
Lakshan also highlighted the influence of senior players Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, whose contributions provided a significant advantage to the team. He further acknowledged the support of Colts CC Cricket and Grounds Secretary Manuja Kariyapperuma for his continuous encouragement and motivation.
Chandimal emerged as the team’s leading batter, scoring 849 runs with three centuries and three fifties at an average of 65.30. Other notable contributors included Sangeeth Cooray (508 runs), Angelo Mathews (480), Muditha Lakshan (457), Ravindu Rashantha (437), skipper Dhananjaya Lakshan (391), Dunith Wellalage (246 in four matches), and Sanoj Dharshika (202). These performances reflected the team’s overall balance and collective contribution.
In the bowling department, experienced off-spinner Akila Dananjaya dominated with 53 wickets, including best figures of 7 for 39. He recorded two four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls. Pacemen Kavishka Anjula (23 wickets, best 5 for 54) and Udith Madushan (20 wickets, best 4 for 34) made notable impacts, while spinners Dunith Wellalage and Muditha Lakshan backed them up effectively.
“We had excellent preparation under head coach Anil Redeegammangedera. Assistant coach Wasantha Thushara, fielding coach Sewmina Tharaka, and physiotherapist Rajee also played important roles. Cricket Secretary Manuja Kariyapperuma remained closely involved, and club officials, including President Nishantha Ranatunga, Secretary Rt. Major General Shiran Abeysekara, and Vice Presidents Chaminda Mendis and Chaminda Vaas, supported the team throughout.”
“The players were determined to win, especially after missing out on the title since 2012. After 14 years, we finally achieved it through strong team spirit, and full credit goes to all the players,” Lakshan added.
Eight Colts CC players—Ravindu Rashantha, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Muditha Lakshan, Kavishka Anjula, Akila Dananjaya, Udith Madushan, and Dilshan Madushanka—have been selected for the upcoming National Super League tournament. Meanwhile, Dunith Wellalage is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League.
Colts CC squad: Dhananjaya Lakshan (Captain), Ravindu Rashantha, Sangeeth Cooray, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Muditha Lakshan, Sanoj Dharshika, Sukitha Manoj, Kavishka Anjula, Akila Dananjaya, Udith Madushan, Dunith Wellalage, Sheran Fonseka, Shyamsundar Krishnashriram, Yohan Mendis, Harshana Wickramasinghe, Anil Redeegammangedera (Head Coach).