KJP : career of peaks, valleys and what-ifs

by Rex Clementine

When Sri Lanka handed the coaching reins to Graham Ford a decade ago, they had their reasons. The South African, an understudy to the legendary Bob Woolmer, had helped South Africa navigate a tricky generational transition. Under Ford’s watchful eye, fresh faces filled the void left by towering names with seamless ease. Sri Lanka, looking to rebuild, hoped Ford could replicate that magic. One of his early picks for the rebuilding project was Kusal Janith Perera.

KJP, as he’s affectionately called, was thrown into the deep end in Adelaide. But instead of floundering, he thrived on debut, guiding Sri Lanka to a thrilling run chase against Australia. On that same tour, he impressed in his T20 debut in Sydney, smashing a 22-ball 33 to clinch another win. Ford, grinning from ear to ear, seemed to have struck gold. He believed this young man would do wonders for Sri Lankan cricket.

But did we really need a foreigner to tell us about the unpolished diamonds in our backyard? KJP was already a standout in school cricket. Former SLC Chairman Vijaya Malalasekara, with an eye for talent sharper than an eagle’s, spotted him at Dharmapala Vidyalaya and promptly recommended him to Royal College. The move paid dividends, and KJP’s ascent was meteoric.

Despite his rapid rise, KJP remains a humble soul. The kind of guy who’d show up at a friend’s wedding or a relative’s funeral, no questions asked. He’s unassuming, low-key, and content with a simple life. But fame, like an unwelcome relative, brings baggage—media obligations, sponsor events, public speaking gigs. These weren’t KJP’s strong suits. His reluctance to step into the spotlight led many to brand him aloof. Leadership roles, even in franchise cricket, eluded him as people mistook his reserved nature for a lack of ambition.

But make no mistake, KJP isn’t an introvert. In fact, he’s a sharp reader of the game. However, trust is a currency he values, and after the trials he’s endured, who can blame him? No Sri Lankan cricketer has navigated rougher waters.

Few remember that KJP was a key part of Sri Lanka’s 2014 ICC T20 World Cup-winning side, opening the innings alongside T.M. Dilshan. The decision to promote him as an opener was strategic – bolstering the middle order with a senior player’s expertise while exploiting KJP’s big-hitting prowess when field restrictions were on. But not everyone was thrilled. A senior player, feeling slighted, reportedly turned against him, marking the start of KJP’s struggles.

KJP isn’t one to form cliques or stir drama. He plays his part and moves on. But being misunderstood has become a recurring theme in his career. Case in point: the 2016 doping scandal. Suspended by the ICC for a supposed violation, KJP bore the brunt of global scrutiny. Credit to Sri Lanka Cricket for standing by him, eventually proving the lab’s findings were faulty. Yet, the episode sidelined him for months, leaving scars that don’t easily fade.

In 2021, KJP reluctantly accepted the captaincy, aware of the minefield he was stepping into. Leading a team with several former captains is no cakewalk; compromises are inevitable. KJP found himself embroiled in a pay dispute – not of his making, but as skipper, he became the face of the conflict. His stance earned him enemies, and when an opportunist teammate publicly broke ranks, KJP’s leadership tenure was cut short. Another cruel twist in his turbulent journey.

And yet, amid the lows, there were moments of pure brilliance. None more so than his jaw-dropping 153* in Durban, a knock Sunil Gavaskar hailed as Test cricket’s finest. It single-handedly secured an improbable victory and an unprecedented series win in South Africa. But the euphoria was short-lived. Seven Tests later, KJP was axed from the format, never to don whites again.

His career feels like a Shakespearean tragedy – so much promise, so many hurdles. On Thursday, we glimpsed what might have been. KJP’s blistering hundred, only the third by a Sri Lankan in T20Is, was a vintage counterattack. It kickstarted the year with a bang and reminded us of his unparalleled talent.

At 34, KJP’s sun is setting, but sunsets can be glorious. While his career has been more stumbles than strides, one hopes his twilight years deliver the grand finale he deserves. For a man who’s endured so much, it’s only fitting that his swan song is one of triumph.