Former Sri Lankan spinner Suraj Randiv turned into a bus driver to earn his livelihood

Life is volatile, it can change at any moment. One day you’re on cloud nine having the time of your life, the next moment life kicks you down and you’re down on your haunches. Former Sri Lankan Spinner, Suraj Randiv has seen all the colours of life. Once, who used to trouble the batters with his spin variations, Randiv has now become a bus driver in Australia to earn his livelihood.

The young spinner burst onto the scene in international cricket when he made his ODI debut against India at Nagpur in December 2009. The 37-year-old former player was touted as the next big thing in Sri Lankan cricket. The cunning spinner was known for the numerous variations he had.

Many cricket experts believed that Randiv will be a regular mainstay in the Sri Lankan team in the years to come. But things didn’t quite turn out to be the same as his career never took off despite early promise.

Randiv played for Sri Lanka until 2016 and represented the country in 12 Tests, 31 ODIs, and 17 T20Is, picking up 43, 36, and seven wickets respectively. Apart from shining in international cricket, Randiv also played under MS Dhoni for the Chennai franchise in the Indian T20 League in 2011. The spinner went on to play eight matches for the franchise, picking up six wickets.

Randiv also found his name in controversy when he deliberately bowled a ‘no ball’ to prevent Indian batter Virender Sehwag from reaching his hundred with just one run needed for victory. The incident happened during a tri-series in 2010 which Sri Lanka eventually went on to win beating India in the finals.

The spinner also played for Sri Lanka at the grand stage of the Cricket World Cup 2011 and was also a part of the finals which Sri Lanka lost to India by six wickets. Randiv managed to stay in the headlines despite having a short career at the international level. His story is a perfect example of life’s unpredictable nature.