Sri Lankan cricket has been home to numerous legends, including Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Arjuna Ranatunga. While many players have not reached such iconic status, they have nonetheless made significant contributions to the national team. One notable figure is Marvan Atapattu, the former captain who guided Sri Lanka to victory in the Asia Cup in 2004.

Atapattu's international career began on a challenging note, as he recorded five ducks in his first six Test innings. Such a disheartening start could have derailed the careers of many cricketers; however, he persevered through the difficult phases and ultimately concluded his career with six Test double centuries, ranking third among Sri Lankan batsmen in this regard.

In his inaugural Test match, Atapattu unfortunately joined the ranks of players who have scored a pair of ducks, necessitating a two-year wait for another opportunity. When he returned, his fortunes did not improve significantly, as he managed only a duck and a single run. After another two-year hiatus, he played his third Test in 1994, nearly four years post-debut, but again faced disappointment with another pair of ducks, leading to a further three-year wait for his next appearance.

Following this rocky beginning, Atapattu achieved his first Test century in his 18th innings against India in Mohali, where he scored 108 runs.

Over the course of his 17-year international career, Atapattu accumulated 5,502 runs in 90 Tests, which included six double centuries and 16 centuries. At the time of his retirement, only Don Bradman, Brian Lara, and Wally Hammond had surpassed his tally of Test double centuries.

In the One Day International format, he also demonstrated commendable consistency, amassing 8,529 runs at an average of 37.57. Notably, Atapattu had to wait seven years after his ODI debut to secure his first century in this format.

He formed a formidable opening partnership with Sanath Jayasuriya, who was renowned for his aggressive batting style. The right-left combination proved effective for Sri Lanka, with Atapattu's composed approach providing essential balance to their partnership. The elegant batsman was a key asset to the team.

‘Greediness a reason behind 6 double centuries’

Atappatu reflected on his past as a cricketer, describing himself as a greedy batsman in the years following his retirement from international cricket, particularly in relation to his double centuries.

"Upon reflecting on how I achieved those double-hundreds, I attribute it to several factors. Firstly, it was my enjoyment of batting and the desire to spend ample time at the crease. Secondly, there was a sense of greediness. Given the numerous ducks I experienced early in my career, I believed that once I got a good start, I needed to capitalize on it," Atappatu shared with The Cricket Monthly.

Throughout his career, he encountered numerous controversies within Sri Lankan cricket, often clashing with selectors. Towards the end of his career, he infamously referred to the selectors as "a set of muppets headed by a joker" during Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in 2007-08. He ultimately announced his retirement from international cricket on the final day of the Hobart Test during that tour.

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