Make no mistake - Royal College batsman Ramith Rambukwella is on the threshold of an outstanding career. This 6 foot 3 inch giant of a batsman reminds one of a left handed version of former Sri Lankan player C Iveres Gunasekera in size and style with his brutal stroke play which decimated the St Thomas' attack to the tune of 165 at the SSC Grounds in Colombo recently.
No wonder then that people have started calling him the Kandyan Butcher hailing his Kandyan background and fireworks from his bat. The son of Sri Lankan Cabinet Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Ramith Laksen Bandara Rambukwella born in Kandy on 8 September 1991 would normally have been expected to play for Trinty College - that leading boys' school in Kandy of which Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara is an illustrious alumni. However since his father happened to be an old boy of St Thomas' College in Colombo and his involvement in national politics may have been a compelling reason to enrol his only son in a Colombo school.
If you have a glace at Ramith Rambukwella's Facebook page it is full of fan comments - upto 800 of them - and his Cricinfo page illustrates one of his thunderous drives amply illustrating his bulging muscles and power play.
Would it be long before the IPL gets his signature for one of their franchises? The rumour has is that the IPL has been closely watching Rambukwella through their local agents and a rookie contract is in order. Sources indicate that Chairman of Sri Lankan selctors Ashantha de Mel witnessed Rambukwella's 165 at the recent big match between traditional school rivals Royal and St Thomas' and is throughly impressed. It would not be a surprise therefore to find Rambukwella's name among warm-up squads to face the touring Indians and New Zealanders in the nest few months.
