Romesh Kaluwitharana

The ever-smiling Romesh Kaluwitharana is a delight to watch. When in full steam, the batsman dazzles the crowd with his fireworks.

Date of Birth: 24 November 1969  Test Debut: Against Australia at Colombo in 1992/93  ODI Debut: Against India at Margao in 1990/91  Bats: Right Hand Bat  Other: Wicket-Keeper

The ever-smiling Romesh Kaluwitharana is a delight to watch. When in full steam, the diminutive batsman dazzles the crowd with his swashbuckling fireworks on the field with his bat.

He along with Jayasuriya is credited with having launched a totally different approach to opening batting in ODIs.

In fact, one-day internationals have no longer remained the same since he and Jayasuriya showed that big runs can be scored in the first 15 overs.

The wicket-keeper batsman scored his debut century against Australia in 1992. Romesh's fiery batting style has won him adulations and fans the world over.

Kalu, as his teammates call him, got going in the opening match of the 1999 World Cup, against England and scored a neat 57.

Today, he is considered as the best wicketkeeper in the Sri Lankan side, though his lack of consistency in batting pushes him to the sideline.