The Untold Story of Cricket’s Greatest Left-arm Bowler | Rangana Herath

In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, we sit down with Rangana Herath - the world's number one left-arm Test wicket-taker and a former captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. Rangana shares his inspiring journey, from his early days balancing work and cricket to achieving global recognition in the cricketing world. His definition of success focuses on the value of embracing processes, continuous learning, and maintaining composure under pressure.

We dive deep into Rangana's mindset, exploring how he turned challenges into opportunities and the crucial role of mentorship throughout his cricketing career. Rangana also reflects on transitioning from an international player to coaching, highlighting the importance of adapting, resilience, and the profound impact of cultural shifts during his move to Australia.

The conversation explores:
• Why process-driven success is more sustainable than outcome-based success
• How to manage performance pressure effectively
• The pivotal role of mindset over natural talent
• Key lessons learned from influential mentors and coaches
• Strategies for navigating major life and career transitions
• Rangana’s philosophy on legacy and inspiring future generations

Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, coach, leader, or someone seeking motivation and insights into achieving sustained success, this episode offers invaluable lessons from one of cricket’s true legends.

Follow us on all your favourite platforms:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/
Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod
Website: www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com

Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

Transcript

Speaker 3 (00:00.64)
All right, welcome back to the quest for success podcast and thanks so much for tuning in once again today. Man, I cannot wait for this conversation. This is going to be probably one of our top ones and I'm really looking forward to this because today we have a man who has so many things under his belt. He is the world number one left arm test wicked taker and I yeah, I cannot wait for this conversation today on the show. We're joined by Rangana herath.

Yeah, and I want Dylan to actually come to Melbourne and actually stay come to Rangana's place and I was here about probably about three weeks ago and he invited me to come and visit and and bring Dylan here to have this show today and Rangana thank you so much for having us and we are really looking forward to having this chat.

Yeah, Dylan and Jamitha, thank you very much for having me actually. So I'm very excited to have this podcast as well as I was listening to a few other as well. So very interesting as well as very special, more special the how the you and Dylan conduct this podcast. Thank you very much for that, actually.

So Rangana, this whole podcast is about success. So we need to start with something pretty fundamental. And that is what does success actually mean to you?

Okay, it's not easy to describe, explain from two, three words. For me, I'm a person, I always believe the process rather than the outcomes, because when you follow the process, then you can go by step by steps. But when you considering those step by steps, always there will be challenges like up and downs, rough period, there are things which you don't like.

Speaker 2 (01:46.082)
But when you think about getting to the success, always you need to see those challenges or up and downs as possibilities. that's how I thought. More than that, actually, I always believe that people who have the gritty mindset, that encouraging mindset, so those are the people who get there not easily, but they will get there somehow because

When you have that gritty mindset, you don't see any other challenges or up and downs in their life. for me, it's kind of following those processes. It's very important rather than the focus on outcomes.

Yeah. And I suppose, you know, I'd heard of your name before, you know, hair out coming into bowl or whatever, when I was listening to cricket when I was younger, but only in the last like little while when, when Jam said we were getting you on the show, did actually understand a little bit about your story. And it's a fascinating one. And so for our listeners, could you kind of take us back to your early life? Tell us a little bit about where you grew up and kind of that early transition into.

Yeah, so from my school time, so I've been to three schools. The one school from Polgahavila Primary and the second one is Naramallu Central College. That's where I started playing cricket. And the third school is Maledeva College. That's where I played more, cricket, school cricket as well as, know, so that's where I started my first class cricket as well from Kurnagala Sports Club as well as Kurnagala Youth Cricket Club.

So fortunately, I had the opportunity to travel with under 17 national team to Malaysia. So that's where I knew and I understand about my skills and about my capabilities. So if I can represent that way back in 1994, so when I can represent in that age, like age of 16,

Speaker 2 (03:47.522)
that I thought that I have ability to play for Sri Lanka as well. So that's my ultimate goal. That's where I started dreaming about playing for Sri Lanka.

Are you coming from a cricketing background? parents or anyone play cricket before you?

Actually, brother played a little bit of cricket to Naramal Central College. So, basically I came from a of a very small village named Vadu Ava. It's very close to, not very close to Kurunayagala, it's close to a town called Polgahavila. So basically, father and my mother, they were both government servants. So, I had two siblings, a little brother and my

sister. Unfortunately she passed away many years ago. So I have a still that my elder brother he lives in England at the moment. So yes I got a bit of a bit of encouragement from him as well because he played a of a cricket for Naramala Central College.

Yeah, so I mean, I guess coming from Sri Lanka, everybody, every cricketer, every kid wants to play cricket for Sri Lanka. Right. And I guess you have that interest to play cricket like any other Sri Lankan kids. But I guess when did you really discover, like, I mean, for you to get into under 17 squad for Sri Lanka, you must show some talent at school level. Right. But how did you really discover?

Speaker 1 (05:18.924)
at young age, like you can play cricket.

So I think the credit goes to one of our school coaches because my first coach is from Myrapal Central College, Naramala. His name is Lal Dinapuran. While we are playing that...

some kind of a competition. The Malay Dev College junior coach, name is Mr. Rohan Deerasuriya. So he's the one who spotted me that I got some ability to play some cricket. So that's where he asked me to come to that Malay Dev College. I mean, get an opportunity. So that's how it started. So that's why I said that the credit should go to him because

a scholarship to come.

Speaker 2 (06:08.149)
He's the one who spotted my...

Recognize your abilities and help you to get into a more cricketing school. Excellent.

That's right.

I, we've kind of jumped straight into cricket, but I want to know like your, your, from your parents, are there any like core traits or lessons that you think you've learned from them?

not really, because they basically from the small age, they encouraged us to study well. in between, somehow they realized that I'm capable of playing cricket as well. But in between that, they basically encouraged me to do studies as well as playing cricket. So in that case, I got kind of a luxury, not the luxury, are blessing as well as motivation from my family.

Speaker 1 (06:56.946)
Excellent. So you got selected to play for under 17 at the age of 16. And then what happened after that?

So, even that tour, we played against every single country like India. This is not a World Cup, it's called something like Mini World Cup or something. That tournament happened in Malaysia actually. So after that, luckily that same squad, Sri Lanka Cricket, Sri Lanka School Cricket, they kept as a backup for under 19 and all.

Is it a work out?

Speaker 2 (07:39.896)
So those players kept training actually. So that's where I got the opportunity to keep enrolling with Sri Lanka School Cricket. So after that they selected another under-19 team for playing against India under-19. So that also kind of a highlighting in my career because I did well that under-19 series as well.

So it's a bit of a combination of Under 19 as well as Sri Lanka A and to play for Sri Lanka as well. So it's a bit of a part, especially in Sri Lanka.

So were you like a bowler then?

Yes as a left hand spinner

You discover bowling spinning spin bowling from the very young age.

Speaker 2 (08:30.602)
Initially, when I played for Naramala Central College, Myrapada, I used to fast bowling as well. Then, after that, I bowled spin. But as I said, my coach, that Malayadwe College coach, Rohan Deerasurya, he told me, actually he instilled me to better choose either you...

fast bowling or spin. At the same time he said, with your height and all, I always suggest to start bowling spin. That's how start bowling spin and it's kind of a regular thing.

Yeah, okay. And then from school cricket, when was the first call for playing for international, you know, for more senior level?

So as I said, like it's a combination. I played under 19 against India. That's like 1997, I guess. So after that, I got opportunity to tour with Sri Lanka A team to England. Because in between that, I play a lot of club cricket. mean, club cricket means first class cricket. because of I did well during that period, then I got the opportunity to play with Sri Lanka A team and tour to England. So while playing that

England A Tour, I mean Sri Lanka A Tour with most of the counties. That's where I got that call or I got that news that I have been selected to the play for Sri Lanka against Australia in 1999. That's my first tour and I played against Australia. Yeah, that's a series that we won against Australia like as a first series.

Speaker 1 (10:17.122)
Amazing.

What did that first phone call feel like?

Oh, I mean, you know, that's your expecting, you know, that's your dream that always looking for playing for Sri Lanka is ultimate goal. So when you receive that kind of a call, it's like, wow, this is maybe I thought like, it was a bit early. But I thought like, this is opportunity. Now this is I need to grab from my both hands. So that's what I thought at that time.

this how old are you then?

age 21. So you played

Speaker 1 (10:49.742)
Test cricket age of 21. That's right. And before we get into more test stuff, I wanted to understand because those days, right? Like you have to be pretty much based in Colombo to play cricket, right? Like to competitive cricket. I know that you, start working and move to Colombo.

Yeah, so basically I moved to Colombo 1996 or 1997. I stayed at one of my friend's place. His name is Charinde Fernando. So at that time, so as I said, like, you know, when you come from our station, there was a lot of challenges, ups and downs. But that's what I thought, like, those are not challenges. This is like opportunities. That's how I thought, like that's where you always think, okay, so I have a

a bigger goal than this. That's what I thought that time. after that, I worked 1998. That's my first job, East West Marketing. That's one of the Sri Lankan leading companies by that time. So after that, John Keele's, I worked with the Makinons. then, year 2000, I joined with Sampat Bank. Then I worked almost 20 years with them. I resigned from them.

2021 naturally. So while you're playing? While I'm playing cricket.

cricket. that's interesting because I know many people probably don't even know even like like a very like great cricketers like you guys like playing test still have to work somewhere right?

Speaker 2 (12:27.768)
I mean, work is, you know, that it's a more of a, you know, when you have that kind of like permanent job, you have a bit of a security in your life. Because when you play cricket, like day to day practice and all, we all know that there is a backup, especially the finance backup. So, and we learn a lot of things like finance and some other things. I worked for three departments. I started with HR and the second one is

card center marketing, credit card and all. So after that, my whole years, like more than 15 years, I worked for a marketing division. So that's where we got some different knowledge, different experience apart from cricket. Like, you know that when it comes to banks, you've got different, different varieties in terms of life. So I learned a lot of things from bank as well.

And also you get to play cricket for the the come a corporate cricket as well. Excellent. So Rangana, I want to go back to the cricket. Stop me if you have any questions, Dylan. Otherwise, I'll be asking all the questions. I know. So you start playing cricket, but then you had a huge gap in between. I know it's a very interesting time because that was one of the peak times for Sri Lankan cricket. Right.

like we call mercantile cricket.

Speaker 1 (13:51.892)
and Muthiah Muradiran on his peak time. How did you manage playing cricket and suddenly you had a huge gap? How did you go through during that time?

Alright, I'll explain like the period from 1999 to 2009. I played only 14 test matches and few one-days as well. And I think as I can remember, I had taken less than 50 wickets. So that period was tough. Because you know, like you're always not in the team on and off, you know, there will be a

lot of challenges. mean, staying in Kalambu, that's a different challenge. But I thought like, if I can play for my country, age of 21, so that means I'm capable. That means I have the skill. But I need to wait, I need to wait patiently to get that second opportunity. It took almost 10 years, but it doesn't matter. Like I waited, I waited, I waited playing for domestic cricket.

playing for some league cricket in England and in between I played Sri Lanka A-Team as well as, you know, mercantile cricket and all. So here and there, here and there, I got opportunity to play for Sri Lanka as well, but not in regular basis. But somehow 2009, I got another opportunity. So that means age of 31, actually. So I thought like, okay, this is going to be...

another opportunity, but at the same time can be my last opportunity. You never know that. So I thought like by age of 31, I got a lot of experience as well as knowledge by playing first class cricket, 18th cricket, mercantile cricket and all. So I thought like this is the best time to utilise everything. From 2009 to 2018, I played like almost 10 years, very close to 10 years. In a row, I played one day cricket, T20.

Speaker 2 (16:03.126)
I took, I don't know, maybe very close to international wickets.

And during that 10 year block where you were kind of on the sideline, what was your kind of mindset like? Because I imagine it would have been like incredibly difficult to stay motivated, but then it's also like an opportunity for you to hone your craft.

Yeah, that's, as I said earlier, like that is a tough period actually in my career. So day in, day out, that, but I thought there are things, there are things that you can't control, but there are things that you can control. Everyday training, working hard. So those are the things that under my control, there are things that not under your control, like selection or the people, things say about me.

criticizing different different articles on papers, those are not under my control. I always thought there are things that I can control, day to day playing cricket, training, working hard, stay focused. You know, like, for example, I always think there are two choices when you up in the morning. You will have a dream. Either you continue to sleep with the dreams or chase them down. So those are my questions, because

We all have the dreams, know, we all like to achieve. I like to go there. I want to end it up over there. But those are the dreams. Those are the goals. But to achieve that, you need to have that process to follow. So I always think that I always believe if you have a right process, if you can follow those things every single day, you will be definitely succeeded with that.

Speaker 1 (17:44.782)
Thank

That's a really good philosophy. And I suppose in 2009, when that call up came, you know that this could be your last chance. There must've been so much pressure, right? How do you go about facing pressure in those kind of heated moments?

Especially playing cricket, you know, can be test cricket, can be one day cricket, 2020, there will be a pressure. For me, pressure is that nobody can stop that pressure. automatically it will come into your body. So it doesn't matter. You will absorb and my concern is what's the next action that you're going to take? Because nobody can stop getting that pressure.

But my responsibility is to act for that actually. I always think that I gave bit of a chance to my mind, okay, you need to calm down, take bit of a time and try to get better decision. So that's what we did it as well as that's you under control. Because from outside pressure, you can't stop. But what I can do is how you reflect, how you react with actions.

So that's how I managed to do well during that period actually.

Speaker 1 (19:01.154)
Rangana, I want an honest answer for this question. Have you ever thought of giving up?

Yes, yes, one stage.

Yeah, what was the moment like?

Because during that 1999 to 2009, so when you get age like 27, 28, so I went to the selectors one stage because I even have a discussion about my career with them. So what they said was, so basically they said there are a few spinners like, more really obviously that's our number one choice.

There was another few other names as well. But in that list, my name was like number five, number six. So they said, so basically that why I went there, I got an opportunity to play some league cricket in England. So I wanted to discuss about that opportunity. So they said like, since you have an opportunity to play some league cricket, it doesn't matter. You can play league cricket. But what we are thinking of

Speaker 2 (20:10.092)
you are in the list of like five or six. So in that case, you don't have room to play at this time. So I said, okay, that's fine. And the, always respect those statements because they have given the right answer. I kind of want us answer. then I said, okay, but one thing they mentioned like, since you are in the A-Team contract, not the national contract, A-Team contract, make sure when you sign the contract with Lee Cricket Club or whatever,

keep some space, if you get selected to Sri Lanka team, you need to come back as soon as when the Sri Lanka call. So I basically I got that document right. So that's how I signed. So that's where that I got that phone call from Sanga. I think Chandika also involved with it because Chandika was there. So basically once I received that phone call, I came back the same day from the same night from London to.

So how long between that discussion to the recall again?

Maybe three and a half months? Normally league cricket goes like maximum of six months.

Yeah, not you.

Speaker 1 (21:20.588)
But you are probably still thinking, right? Like, I get this.

Because of the age and all, so I was 31. Normally selectors, even nowadays, when the people pass like 30, they think like he's old and all. Sometimes they are not going to consider for selection, but luckily they did it.

And I suppose that that was, that was your true moment to shine. And that's like when you came in and took so many wickets, what was your kind of, what was your strategy and your, know, you talk about process a lot. What was your process going into each of those games to perform?

So as I said earlier, like, so when I, when I have kind of a confidence and knowledge, so that means those are the things that you gain from last 10 years or whatever. So that's where I understood like more about myself. When you have a trust on yourself, when you have courage on yourself, when you do things without fear and without doubt.

That's where you start finding your proper path. that's how it started. Like whatever I does that, I mean, after 2009, I did everything with lot of trust on me and I trust whatever I does, I'm capable of doing that.

Speaker 1 (22:48.462)
I've noticed from outset, I didn't know you very well previously. it doesn't matter any situation, even getting a wicket or taking five wickets, you're very calm and composed. And not even you're going and celebrating. Everyone talks about you saying he's a very calm person. How do you get that personality?

other.

Speaker 2 (23:17.454)
I mean, as I said, so everyone gets pressure. But how you react for that. So that's one other thing. So being smiling and staying calm, so always gives you more space to think. you, some guys are very aggressive, but I'm not that kind of a character. So when I stay calm and when I spend some time with my mind, I always get better decisions. So that's one other thing.

Yeah.

Speaker 2 (23:47.358)
for that answer. And the other thing, know, maybe like as as a ball, as a spinner, you never get, I mean, you, you don't get wickets every single day. As a batter, you don't get runs every single day. But I always think if I don't get wickets or if I don't get runs, mainly wickets actually, how I can contribute to my team. being a team player, like taking a run out or

like massive dive or encouraging others, appreciating others. So that's how I thought like, okay, if I don't get wickets or if I don't get runs, there are many ways to contribute to the team. So I always trust if you don't, if you're not able to do it with performance, but there are many ways to involve or contribute to the team being as a team player.

Yeah, one question I want to know, like how important having preparation and discipline and when you're playing cricket or anything else.

I that I like to break down discipline in two categories or maybe more than that. I always believe thinking about other discipline, I need to have my self-discipline. When you have self-discipline, that means you know what to do and why we are doing, so how we are going to do that. So my main concern is self-discipline, then team discipline. But when you have self-discipline, actually that you're fitting with

all team discipline and the other surrounding areas actually.

Speaker 1 (25:27.874)
Yeah, yeah. Have you ever played with Muttiah Muralitharan together? And what's the experience like?

Yes.

I mean, with Murli, he's like, as I said earlier, like he's a unique, player for Sri Lanka and the world as well. See, we always get like more of a knowledge as well as like sharing knowledge as well, you know, and and advices because he's been from I don't know how many years, more than 20 years. So because we know that when he says something that he has given a lot of evidence for that. So then we can trust on him.

That's right. Yeah.

And then at what point did you get the call up to become the captain?

Speaker 2 (26:11.054)
So 2009 is it?

No, no, that was this, there was this, you, there was a section where you became the test captain.

yeah, that's right. That's 2016.

And I suppose, you know, coming from being a player to being captain, I suppose you were what seven years in. So you're already kind of like a senior player. What, what are the kind of core things that you do to inspire your, your teammates? Cause you, you spoke about then, you know, it's really important to have not only self-discipline, but also team discipline. So how do you build that as, as the leader? Yeah.

So as you said, like I became a test captain in 2016. I captain only five games because Angelo and Chandima got injured. So then I got the opportunity to captain for two or three tours actually. So by that time we had a kind of a very good team set up. I don't have to worry about too much because I just had to just continue the whatever the...

Speaker 2 (27:15.422)
implement those days. So then, but what I thought like, whatever we do, so what I asked from the players and what are the discussion we had actually, how we can get better every single day, instead of comparison or instead of thinking of others, how you can be yourself. How can you get better as yourself? If you can get better than the yesterday.

structure.

Speaker 2 (27:44.416)
If you can get better than the last week or last month, that's always that we will talk about. Because that's where you have that learning as well as the improvement. Focus on you, not someone else actually.

Focus on you.

Speaker 3 (28:01.082)
Yeah. And I suppose with like, with a lot of other like younger players to you in the team, like I've got Sanga Kara said that you're perhaps one of the greatest role model role models that Sri Lankan cricket has ever had. How do you, how do you take them on that journey with you and bring them up?

mean, so as Sangaka said, like, so myself and Kuma, played a lot of cricket together. So he knows me as a character, as a friend, as a cricketer. So because of why that he's saying that kind of a quote, that he might show a kind of a character from myself. And I always tell or have a discussion with the players that...

If we are not getting what we wanted, but there are many ways to contribute, as I said. So those are the qualities that I wanted to bring into the team. So because cricket is a game, there will be a competition every single time. That's where you will not be able to perform every single day. So that's where you need to find, okay, so if you are not, that's okay, that's okay, because people won't perform every single day, but you need to find a way to contribute.

instead of staying away, instead of having a bit of a, you know, kind of a bad mood and all, but there are many ways to contribute. So that's what we discussed as a team during that period, actually.

So while we are talking about the captaincy and you actually not just captain the Sri Lankan team, you actually got a world record of captains had the most wickets, right? I mean, I read it somewhere, know, captaining as well as getting most wicket as a captain. How difficult to captain a team, same time performing as a player?

Speaker 2 (29:57.345)
that's interesting, but even so when I...

starts to bowl. So I'm not thinking about captaining the team. I always focus on what I'm going to do now. So that's something that I always had a plan for the over for the session or for the whole day. But by that time, of course, there will be a tactical moves like, you know, you had to have tactical moves. But when I'm bowling, I'm not going to focus on captaining. I focus on

what I have to do at that moment. So once I finish that over or once I finish the session, then we can have a session chat or like with the coaches and all. So always what I does was like, I gave a kind of a priority that particular time actually.

So when you're bowling, you're a bowler. Like pretty much you're focusing on getting wickets. I mean, I could have asked that question in another way. How easy for you to be the captain and the bowler because your record shows like you actually done amazingly well during those matches. Rangana, how important, I mean, not just cricket, how important to have that continuous learning, that mindset.

PC.

Speaker 2 (31:19.02)
I mean, that's very interesting. it always, I think as a person, but I thought like, there are things, there are many things we don't know. We know only just little things. So that's where you need to understand about the learning and you need to accept what are the learnings that we can accept. And if we can learn every single day, that means you have more knowledge.

Yep.

Speaker 2 (31:47.799)
that means you have more expertise. So that's why I'm very open to learn things every single day.

Are you able to share an example, maybe you change a little technique from something and then made that into a...

In terms of my action or something like that? Alright, okay. So way back in 2002, so I still can remember. So this is all about the growth mindset actually. His name is Bruce Yardley. He was a national coach for us. So he passed away, I think, few years ago. So when he see me first time,

Something, yeah.

Speaker 2 (32:31.982)
So basically we had a kind of a discussion. So he suggested me one thing. Like basically by that time, so I went like, you know, in between like diagonal, in between stumps as well as the umpire. So I went like in between. So he suggested a few things that you need to start with, if you can start with straight run up. So then I asked, okay, I can do it.

I can do that. So what's the advantage or what are the benefits that I'm getting as a bowler? So he explained many things. Then I asked, is there any any minus or something like that? He said there will be. But when you're considering for long spell, long time playing cricket, this would be ideal. So then I was I was thinking about, OK, what I'm going to do.

whether I'm going to change that one or not. So then I realized, okay, this is something that I need to try this out. So that's where I started playing some club cricket. So basically it helped me a lot. Even till I played my last game, I went straight run up actually. which is, mean, to be honest, that's kind of a very good thing that one of the coaches that suggested me.

And from myself, I use that as a kind of a use in my growth mindset and all. I thought of, okay, if there is anything that if we can try this out, so there will be a benefit. So then I started to do that. And even that worked, it worked actually.

And throughout your whole career, were there any key players or coaches who were like a real inspirational mentor to you?

Speaker 2 (34:22.958)
Players, of course, so we those days, mean, initial days like we looked up like Sanat Jaya, Surya, Aravinda, Muralidharan, those other players. And after that, so luckily I got the opportunity to play with the Marwan, Sanghakar, Mahela, Vaz, Lassit. There are many cricketers actually. So I'm to be honest, I'm very fortunate to play with them. in terms of coaches, I think

As I said earlier, my school coaches that gave me lot of confidence as well as the guidance. But when it comes to under 17, under 19 and the club cricket, I must mention this name Chandika Hathur Singh that he has given like lot of confidence as well as guidance and more like he noticed with some skill as well as he shot his

tactical and technical knowledge as well. So that's, I always recall in my career actually.

So I know you've taken 433 test wickets Rangana. I don't know, this is a good question to ask. Do you have any favorite wicket out of 433? Maybe few.

I'd say my number one, Ricky Ponting. Because of number one. How did you come out? I at sleep. And of course apart from that, Reshad Devikat, of course that's very special for me.

Speaker 1 (36:02.574)
What was the last week at 433rd?

I... I can remember, Josh Butler?

I'll write English.

And I suppose speaking about kind of the end of your career, when did you realize it was time to hang up the boots?

Oh, so age of 35, 36, I had a bit of a knee operations, not only one, both knees. Then I was struggling to run and all. So that's where I stopped playing. In 2016, I stopped playing ODI cricket as well as T20 cricket. But I thought after that, there will be a bit more cricket in me.

Speaker 2 (36:45.196)
So then I played another three years till 40, that means till 2018. So after that, I thought, okay, because I had a bit of you know, soreness and more injuries, stiffness and all. So then I thought this is the right time to hang up. that's why I decided to, like before England tour in goal, I have been formed to Sri Lanka cricket about six months ago.

Yeah, but you had a really good success in goal, especially, right? You've taken over 100 wickets. Yeah. Why? Because that's a sprint.

that's right.

Speaker 2 (37:22.35)
Not because of that actually. So goal is the place always you get a bit more assistance for the spinners of course. But the other thing now the understanding about the role that you're going to play. From the first day we don't get assistance off the pitch. So there will be a time that you don't get assistance. For example...

the first day or second day of test cricket. So it's more of a batting friendly. So that's where you need to understand your role, that what kind of a role that you need to play a particular time, a particular day. So it's all about understanding about your game and your role. So when it comes to third day, maybe fourth day, because we knew that there will be some assistant for the spinners, but you need to stay patiently to get there that...

time actually. I mean, gold, very special for me.

And then after you, after you retire, you kind of transitioned into a coaching role. What was, what was that journey like?

So just after my retirement, I went to the bank. I was working over there. So I was there like almost maybe four, four, four, five months. Then I thought, okay, it's tough because completely different environment, completely different subject. So then I thought, okay, that's okay. But at that time I thought I need to start some coaching.

Speaker 2 (39:00.684)
because I need to involve with cricket. at that time I decided to start coaching, then I did my level three coaching program and all. So luckily just after that I worked with Tamil Union Cricket, then I got opportunity to work with Sri Lankan Premier League, one of the franchises as a assistant coach. Then...

I work with Bangladesh national team as a spin bowling coach for two and a half years. Now I'm working, I'm doing a of a part time coaching with New Zealand cricket as a spin bowling coach.

Do you find difficult to retire as a player, Rangan?

Not that difficult. It's all about understanding. So when you understand, okay, that, as I said, like that your time has come, you need to take a decision. So then I have taken that decision. Now, at that time, I thought I need to do something differently, but still related to cricket. there is, mean, by that time I had like, I was thinking, okay, I could have played that. I could have played this. I could have played a hundred test matches. But after that,

So I thought of like, okay, now this is the time to focus on.

Speaker 1 (40:17.09)
You had any pressure from the board or anyone? Because you played 93 test matches. I would probably consider playing another 7 more test matches. I remember you kind of left when you sort of in a peak.

No, not at all. That's my...

Speaker 2 (40:32.53)
Yeah, that's right. That's my personal decision. There's no pressure at all from cricket board or anywhere else.

And I suppose, you know, being a coach and getting to see lots of the, the new up and coming players, what, what are you trying to impart on them? Like what, is the message or are you trying to change their mindset or is it purely talent? Like, what are you trying to change within these players?

Especially I would like to have more of a discussion with them. Because when you have more discussion, when you have more communication, then we can understand their self. So then we will find a way to introduce new things and suggest new things. So that's what I did with especially international cricket. Because when you become an international cricketer, you don't think too much of technical things.

They're always concerned about the tactical and the mental approach and all. So that's where you need to understand these are the requirements for the players. So for that, we need to cater according to their requirements. It's more of a discussion. So then what we can do is there will be a lot of suggestions, but they also need to understand every suggestion or every thing that they also can't absorb. So they need to find which one is correct for them.

So for me as a coach, I always like to have a discussion, give them a proper solution for their problems or issues. So that's what we had against Bangladesh as well as New Zealand.

Speaker 3 (42:10.466)
And I suppose what do you think is more important, talent or mindset?

So if I break down, so I will give you another aspect. Like, so some people say you need to have more luck for me. Of course you need to have a luck, but not more than 50%. It's like less than 5%. Of course you need to have a very good skill, very good talent. I would put like 25 to 30 more of a your mindset, your approach and your will.

That's, I always say, your will has to be stronger than your skill. Because when you have that courage, your gritty mindset, that always strive whatever you need to achieve.

And how do you go about forming that mindset in young players?

It's again all about there are two ways to think. If something happened, for example, so just imagine as a bowler, the first two bowls, they can get hit like two boundaries, two sixes. The two mindsets is one is the negative thing that you can, you might think, finish it off that over quickly.

Speaker 1 (43:19.65)
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (43:31.054)
That means you are under pressure. The other thing is just keep a of a space to your mind and get a proper decision. Having a bit of a discussion with captain, having a bit of a tactical feel or at different, different angles. So to do that, you need to have more courage because you are not trying to stay away from that particular moment. You are trying to.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2 (44:01.046)
stay in that particular moment. So that's where you show your character. now, of course, I know that I'm under pressure, but now I can't get away from this situation. That's where you need to show your character. So if you are able to do that, if you can bowl next four bowls, even you don't have to take a wicket, if you can put them under pressure, that particular batsman, put them under pressure. So that's where you are in the game.

Then captain also think, right, okay, this guy is not trying to stay away from the game when under pressure. So I need these kind of players. So then he will think for that second door as well. Okay, come do it again. So those are the characters. This is not about skill. This is about your mental approach.

Really like that because this could apply not just for cricket for anything in your life, right? When you are under pressure, you're trying to walk away from it, right? Rather than walk away from it, let's face it. know, because problems not going to go away if you walk away. That's right. Probably the easiest way to face the problem. That's it. You know, so that's really like that.

the water.

that like I mean

Speaker 2 (45:17.166)
I mean, it's easy to stay in your comfort zone because that's your day-to-day life. But challenging yourself, face those challenges, it's tough. That's where you test your character. Always you need to see those challenges as a possibility. So if you can think like that way, there will be more good, better outcomes.

That's very, very good. Good advice to take away. Rangana, we talked lot about cricket. I I remember coming to your place about three weeks ago with some of your friends. We all talked about cricket, right? So you're living in a house, always talk about cricket, right? How do you find like, you I mean, and also you have a young, young children, three kids. And then do you see...

Do you really want them to follow your footsteps and become a cricketer? What's your wish for them?

Actually, I don't want them to follow cricket, but even at this moment, they are very keen on playing cricket. That's good. that's personal choice, actually. So I see some skill from them. what I do is I encourage and I support them to improve their self. My eldest son, he's 13 and the second one just about to turn into 11. So both...

like to play cricket. Now the elder one is he likes to bowl spin. Second one he likes to... it.

Speaker 1 (46:56.526)
Fast bowling is a very good bowl as well. That's interesting. So you kind of encourage, mean, whichever the way that they want to go. Right. Yeah. Yeah. And I want to take one step back as well. And only a years back, you moved from Sri Lanka to Australia. What's that transition like?

So yes, about three years ago. So even during that time I worked with Bangladesh cricket like two and a half years. Luckily my wife managed to...

do well with the three kids, you know, not easy. In Sri Lanka, you have a lot of support with in-laws and all, but here, so basically on your own. So, gratitude goes to my wife because she managed to do well and she arranged everything, know, drop into the school and pick them from the school, which is not easy. So they did it. What I thought like, since I got my PR in 2016, I thought of like,

this is another opportunity. I know that I spend almost 40 years in Sri Lanka, more than 40 years actually. So, but I thought of like, when I see this environment in Australia, especially for kids, the education system and the opportunity we have over here. So I thought of, okay, this is something that I need to grab it, especially for my kids. So that's the main focus. That's the main thing that I encourage.

come to Australia.

Speaker 1 (48:29.698)
Yeah, and also I guess, you know, if you're in Sri Lanka, when you walk on the street, people will come and talk to you, right? It's probably a little bit different here, right?

Yeah, I mean, even in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan people are very nice. They do that, as you said, like they come and talk, but they are not going to disturb you. So that's how Sri Lankan people, that's why I have a lot of, I admire lot on Sri Lankan people. But there are a few countries, you know, that the players get disturbed from the players, but the Sri Lankan people, don't do that.

Yeah, but do you like that getting away from that limelight and just now here like in Australia not many people probably recognize you,

I mean, even here there are Sri Lankan community, they does and some Australians as well and the other nationalities. But for me, I see that I don't see as a kind of a disturbance because during our playing days, those people, I know they scream like, us as fans. that's why I said I have a lot of...

appreciation for them actually which is you know I always respect for those thoughts for our fans.

Speaker 1 (49:43.608)
Yeah.

And we have quite a few young listeners who listen to this. suppose if you were to put yourself in the shoes of a young person today, what advice would you give them?

I mean, the first thing is you will definitely, you will do some mistakes. That's my first thing because I still can remember age of 19, age of 16, 20, 21 or 30. I made a mistake. The main important thing is learning from the mistake. It's very important. It doesn't matter what kind of a mistake because as long as you have a kind of a right intention.

So during that journey, you will definitely make a mistake. That's fine. So make sure you understand those mistakes and accept it and make sure you learn out of something from that mistake. when the situation come like similar situation come again, then you will find better way to answer for that.

I'm really curious, like as Jam said, there's so many incredible cricket players, young cricket players all over Sri Lanka who probably never get to see, like never get their opportunity to play for Sri Lanka. I want to know from your opinion, why do think you made it as far as you did?

Speaker 2 (51:04.364)
I mean, as you said earlier, like representing a country like Sri Lanka, 25 million people become one out of 25. That's a huge achievement. And we need to understand that at the same time, we need to understand there's a lot of responsibilities. There are a lot of people. People are watching you. So in that case, there will be a lot of parities.

there will be lot of responsibilities. So we need to understand as you achieve, as well as you need to know what kind of a role, what kind of responsibilities you have when you play for your country. Because I always think because of that opportunity, I'm sitting over here.

Yeah, one more question I have Rangana. How do you want to see yourself like in 50 years time, you might, none of us maybe, but someone will talk about Rangana Herat and how do want that to, how do you want them to remember you as?

Yeah.

Speaker 2 (52:15.566)
in, in, I think about in 50. Okay, so now, as a cricketer, I think I have I have achieved something, taking 400 test tickets. Now, what I wanted to give my kids to kind of a guidelines or motivation. I still want to show them that I never stopped that I'm still

legacy I guess you know what I'm trying to think.

Speaker 2 (52:44.206)
keen on working something differently. that means at the moment that I'm involved with coaching, maybe in a years time, maybe different path. But I still want to show them that I'm still in that same path. at the same time, then my kids also will understand, right, okay, he achieved something by playing cricket, but he's striving his goals or striving his...

So something that I want to do it in the future.

We call it showing up, we always, Dylan and I talk about this all the time, right? Doesn't matter. There's no, how we see it as success. There's no end goal, right? You achieve, I mean, you achieve amazing things in cricket. Now you have different things to achieve, right? That's how we see it.

and report.

Speaker 2 (53:38.082)
Yeah, day to day learning as well.

Yeah, and people will remember you for that, right? So Ranganahe Rath is someone like always showing up, always keep achieving things, keep pushing boundaries, right?

It takes time, but it doesn't matter. Somehow, because you know, when you're thinking or when you're finding your goals, it takes time. It doesn't matter, how you get there. Again, I'm thinking is you need to follow that process. It takes time, but one day you will get there.

and gonna what's next for you.

So in terms of coaching.

Speaker 3 (54:15.33)
Yeah, what's next for what's the next step in your life?

So basically I'm working on here in Australia, especially in Melbourne, I'm doing a of a one-on-one coaching and the next few months I'm spending time with developing some academic cricket in USA. So I'm going over there to do some bit of a spin masterclass as well as there will be a Sri Lankan Premier League in mid July or early August.

And even last year I work over there as a head coach for Dambulla franchise. So I'm planning to work again with Dambulla franchise. So that's for next six months, of course.

And I suppose looking back on your journey, do you feel successful?

Yes, of course, yes. Because as I said, like, there was a lot of up and downs, challenges, something that I don't like, but it doesn't matter. Because I wanted to be a kind of a better person with whatever the numbers. Even if I don't get that numbers, as I said earlier, how you contribute for the team. So in terms of those things, I think I achieved.

Speaker 1 (55:33.964)
Amazing.

This has probably been one of my favorite discussions in terms of like mindset and strategies to go forward. So like, thank you so much for your time. It's been an incredible conversation. And throughout our discussion, I've been jotting down a few ingredients, which I think have been, have been very important to your success. And I'd like to share them. The first one is you're incredibly driven. Like coming from, you know, a small country town outside Colombo.

and working so hard to prove your worth, then not only playing cricket, but also working in the bank as well to make ends meet. And then you're just, you're always looking towards your goal and what you have to do to achieve that goal and just getting it done. You've got your head down and just like the work ethic is there. And it's probably what you call like that grit. You have that grit. The next one is you're very action focused. And you, you mentioned in there, you know, you

You always thought back to what can I control? And it's a very stoic philosophy of like only focus on the things you can control and forget about everything else. And I think even Chandika, when we spoke to him, he said a similar thing, you know, focus on the, on the big things, the things that you can actually control. And I think in doing that, in focusing on the things you can control and taking action on them, you're, you're moving toward, like moving towards that goal that you have.

and not getting distracted by all the small things and which are ruining your mindset. The next one is you're incredibly humble. mean, you looking around this room, we'll put some footage in, but looking around this room, there are trophies, cricket balls, you're clearly incredibly successful, but there is an element of humbleness to you and your aura as well. it's, I can imagine it must be tough.

Speaker 3 (57:27.618)
For most people to with all this achievement to kind of stay grounded as you are, but it's just who you are. And I think that makes it easier for, for people to connect with you as well. I think the other one is resilience. As you said, throughout your journey, you had a lot of ups and downs. There was that period where, you know, you got sidelined and I think for most people, it would have been very easy to just go, that's it. My career is done. I gave it a good crack, but you saw it as an opportunity to hone your craft.

And to put into practice and learn new skills so that when you came back, you, showed up and you, you gave it even better of a crack than, than your first one. And then the last one is servant leadership. think we spoke a lot about leadership in this, this discussion and you always are thinking about how can I show up for my team? And it's just like team led mindset as well. And how can I help the others in the team?

come up with me on this journey. And I think that is such a powerful trait as a leader because it helps gain the respect of the people around you, but also improves the team as a whole. Like I'm not doing this just for me. I'm helping bring everyone up along with you.

I mean that's a whole lot of...

Great report card, Rangana. That's a great report card, actually.

Speaker 1 (58:48.722)
And just to add to that, you know, I only know you for a very short time through Chandika Hathura Singh. He introduced to you and, you know, connect us. What I've realized, you know, even you are one of the greatest cricketers that I know. I your record shows your 12th best bowler ever in the history of cricket at the moment. cricket. Test cricket. And we are sitting

next to each other, you're such a humble guy. you know, very first day that I came to your place, every two minutes you keep coming and asking me, am I okay? Because everybody else talking about cricket and I didn't know much about cricket. And, and, and, and that's why I want Dylan to come to this place and really experience that the man behind this amazing awards and, you know, amazing talent. It's not just some legend and he's also

a human being and it's just a such a great nice person, you know, and, that humbleness and that you're approachable. you know, I think that also led to your, your success and thank you Rangana for your time. And it's, it's a pleasure having this discussion. we go forever and we could talk about a lot of cricket, you know, but more than cricket, think we talked many other things and, we wish you very best and, yeah, thank you for having us.

Thank you very much for having me actually and those sentiments you shared and I wish you all the very best for the next or rest of the focus as well.

Thank you so much, and for those who have taken something away from today's episode, if you could go like and follow us on whichever platform you're listening to this on right now. And you can see all of our inspiring episodes over on our website, the quest for success podcast.com. And with that, we'll catch you guys in the next episode. Thanks for listening.