15th Battle of the Maroons – UAE on February 15

The highly anticipated Battle of the Maroons, the iconic cricket clash between past pupils of Ananda and Nalanda Colleges in the UAE, returns for its 15th edition on February 15 at the Royal Sports Club Grounds in Ajman, starting at 8:30 AM UAE time.

This year’s event will be honored by the presence of Sri Lanka’s legendary World Cup-winning captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, as the chief guest, with distinguished Nalandian Nialnga Dela Bandara serving as the guest of honor. Established in 2004 by Saliya Senanayake (Ananda) and Sumedha Dharmasena (Nalanda), the series has seen intense competition over the years, with Nalanda leading the tally 8-6 in 1st XI encounters. In the 2nd XI format, introduced later, Ananda holds a slight edge at 4-3, while in the Tag Rugby segment, Ananda leads 5-2.

The 15th edition will be dedicated to P. de S. Kularatne, a visionary educationist who significantly shaped both schools. The 2nd XI match honors the legendary coach Lionel Mendis, who mentored generations of Sri Lankan cricketers. A Tag Rugby match for the P. de S. Kularatne Challenge Shield adds to the  excitement.

Leading the charge for Nalanda’s 1st XI is Eranga Jayasinghe, who recently secured a championship in an  interschool cricket tournament. Ananda’s squad, captained by Kushan Wijewardhana, features top  talents from UAE league cricket. The 2nd XI will see Lakmin Abayawardana (Ananda) and Chanaka  Senathilake (Nalanda) in leadership roles, while in Tag Rugby, captains Amitha Nuwan (Ananda) and  Asela Weerasuriya (Nalanda) will battle for supremacy. The Nalandian team boasts a strong lineup  featuring seven former Nalanda 1st XI players, while Ananda’s squad consists of three.

The Man of the Match award for the 1st XI game is dedicated to Sri Lanka’s first Test captain, Bandula Warnapura. Recognized as one of the most prestigious sporting events for Sri Lankan expatriates in the UAE, the Battle of the Maroons fosters camaraderie and school spirit, drawing a large crowd of alumni, families, and friends.

Source:Daily News