For Sri Lanka and new head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, the last few months have certainly been winning ones, with the few blips – a 3-0 T20I series reverse against India, and losing the first two Tests in England – swiftly forgotten thanks to the morale-boosting wins and performances that followed.

But observers of Sri Lankan cricket over recent years will know better than to get carried away. After the twin peaks of 2014’s T20 World Cup win and overseas Test triumph in England, there was always likely to be a comedown and rebuild after the retirement of the stalwarts that drove those victories.

But the false dawns since then have been plenty, from an unexpectedly promising 2021 T20 World Cup campaign, to an even more unexpected 2022 Asia Cup final win, and then a run to the final of the 2023 Asia Cup which itself was preceded by an unbeaten 2023 ODI World Cup qualifying campaign. Even this year’s T20 World Cup build up had seen resounding series wins against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. All the hope that sprung from those victories, however, was just as quickly snuffed out by abject showings in major tournaments and finals.

So will this time be any different? For Jayasuriya and his team (which he has mentioned at any opportunity when allocating credit), the proof of the pudding is in the tasting. At the moment it tastes quite good, but balancing long-term objectives with short-term goals is no easy task, and during the early part of Jayasuriya’s reign as head coach it’s the short-term that has taken immediate priority.

Take the recently concluded series against New Zealand. Several red-ball specialists were sent to South Africa early to prepare for Sri Lanka’s crucial WTC-impacting Test series later this month, but four key players – Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis and Asitha Fernando – were asked to remain and play against a fairly green New Zealand side.

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

It’s been pure cricketing poetry watching the Sri Lankan team in action. They’re on a roll, and Tuesday night saw them bag yet another series triumph, leaving fans beaming from ear to ear. It’s hard to believe this is the same side that finished a dismal ninth in last year’s World Cup. What a turnaround—it’s like NPP sweeping the general elections. This time they have a two thirds majority. Last time they had a mere three seats.

So, what’s the secret sauce behind Sri Lanka’s resurgence? Quite a few things, actually.

The team has embraced a two-pronged approach, balancing short-term goals with long-term ambitions. The quick fixes—improving fielding, injecting energy into their game, running smarter between the wickets, prioritizing fitness, and fostering commitment—are already bearing fruit. Meanwhile, the long-term strategies, like unearthing finishers who can hit the ball out of the park and developing seam-bowling all-rounders to compete abroad, are seeds sown for future harvests. Sanath Jayasuriya is a smart man. So is Upul Tharanga.

At the heart of this success story is that dynamic duo. As Head Coach and Chairman of Selectors, they’ve been pulling the strings with precision. Their knack for picking the right personnel has been nothing short of masterful.

Take Charith Asalanka, for instance. One of the youngest players in the squad, he’s being groomed as a long term leader. The selectors borrowed a leaf out of Haroon Lorgat’s book—remember when Lorgat entrusted a 22-year-old Graeme Smith to lead South Africa? That gamble paid off spectacularly, and Asalanka seems poised to follow in similar footsteps. He commands respect, reads the game like a seasoned pro, and is tactically astute—a strong leader in the making, no doubt.

The management has also mastered the art of using the carrot and stick approach. Consider Kusal Mendis. Dropped for the Lord’s Test this September, Sri Lanka’s vice-captain received a loud and clear message: performance trumps seniority. Since then, Kusal has been a man transformed. Against New Zealand, he was the Man of the Match in the first two ODIs and, unsurprisingly, the Player of the Series.

Smart planning has been another hallmark of this team. Even as the ODI squad wrapped up their series against New Zealand, the Test team was in South Africa, undergoing a residential camp to gear up for the fiery pace of Rabada and Mulder.

Sri Lanka’s focus on developing the next generation of cricketers also deserves a standing ovation. After clinching the series against New Zealand, the team rested five senior players for the dead rubber and handed opportunities to fresh faces. This forward-thinking approach ensures the pipeline remains robust and ready for the challenges ahead.

Rewind to the start of the year, and Sri Lanka’s World Test Championship hopes were pie in the sky. The team was sinking faster than the Titanic. But fast-forward to today, and they’re on the cusp of booking their tickets to Lord’s. It’s been a turnaround for the ages.

The team’s wins haven’t been limited to home soil; they’ve triumphed away, too, in places like Bangladesh and England. What’s more, they’ve been climbing the rankings ladder across all formats, taking down teams ranked higher than them with an underdog’s grit and flair.

The glory days of Sri Lankan cricket that once seemed to be slipping through our fingers are back. This team is brimming with potential, and the horizon promises even greater feats. Rest assured, remarkable things lie ahead for this rejuvenated side.