The 32-year-old run machine spoke to The Indian Express on Monday, a day before he scored his first ODI century in the opening game of the tri-series in Colombo.
To say Thilan Samarweera has had an eventful 2009 would be an understatement. He scored back-to-back double tons in Pakistan a few months back, and just last month, notched up centuries in successive Tests against New Zealand to complete 1000 runs for the year.
In between, there was the nightmare of Lahore, when he suffered a bullet injury in his right thigh following the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus.
The 32-year-old run machine spoke to The Indian Express on Monday, a day before he scored his first ODI century in the opening game of the tri-series in Colombo.
Excerpts:
Nothing seems to have changed for you despite the three-month lay-off post Lahore?
I really thank my team management for giving me the support and confidence after my return to Test cricket. They knew that I had the ability to score big.
What were the thoughts in your mind when you returned, against Pakistan, post-Lahore?
The Pakistan series was a big one for me, a difficult one. I was wondering whether I would be able to cope with the pressure of international cricket. Before the first Test began, I was really nervous, a little low on confidence.
So was it a fear of failure?
I have seen several failures and have learnt from them. I worked hard to make a comeback last year, but when I was in the form of my life, Lahore happened. Now I've made another comeback. You need to back yourself when things go wrong.
Do you fear you will be remembered as the player who got injured in the Lahore attack?
I really don't mind people remembering me for that particular reason. Wherever I go, people still ask me about that incident. I think the reason they ask is because they care for me.
How did you handle the time spent in bed?
The first week was really frustrating. I couldn't go out much, I used to watch cricket on TV and wonder whether I'd play the game I loved so much again, whether my cricket career was over. My tissues weren't damage, or else I would have been paralysed.
Critics say you only score in the sub-continent...
I really can't stop the critics. At the end of the day, it's me out in the middle, not them. Critics don't run my family.
What role do you want to play in this team?
I just want to release the pressure on Mahela (Jayawardene) and (Kumar) Sangakkara. They have taken the load of Sri Lanka's batting for the last six years. But things are changing now, with Dilshan chipping in as well.
Any goals that you have set for yourself?
Since my comeback, my mindset has changed, I have become more aggressive. I want to cement my place in the one-day team. I'm really looking forward to this tri-series and the Champions Trophy.
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