Congress MP and author Shashi Tharoor, who is in Sri Lanka for the Colombo Literary Festival, shared a photo with former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, whose dramatic weight loss after bariatric surgery left cricket fans astonished.
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga has left cricket fans amazed after a recent photograph revealed his dramatic physical transformation. The image, shared by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on social media, quickly went viral as many struggled to recognise the 1996 World Cup-winning skipper.
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While Tharoor appeared in his usual formal attire, it was Ranatunga’s noticeably slimmer appearance that became the talking point. Once known for his stocky build during his playing days, the former captain looked significantly leaner in formal clothing with an angavastram draped over his shoulders.
Sharing the picture, Tharoor wrote that cricket fans might find it difficult to recognise the former Sri Lankan captain. He revealed that Ranatunga had undergone bariatric surgery and now enjoys much better fitness. According to Tharoor, the former cricketer joked that he can now comfortably bat for three hours in charity matches, whereas before the surgery he struggled to last even three overs.
Ranatunga, now 63, captained Sri Lanka to its historic 1996 Cricket World Cup triumph, defeating Australia in the final at Lahore. He remained unbeaten on 47 off 37 balls and struck the winning boundary, leading his country to its maiden ODI World Cup title. He also remains the last captain to defeat Australia in a men’s ODI World Cup final.
Reports suggest Ranatunga opted for bariatric surgery after battling several health issues, including sleep apnea, high blood pressure, polycythemia and the risk of diabetes. Inspired by the successful surgeries of his son, daughter and brother Prasanna, he decided to undergo the procedure himself.
Apart from his cricketing achievements, Ranatunga has also remained active in Sri Lankan politics. He made headlines in 2017 after alleging that the 2011 ICC World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka had been fixed, a claim that sparked widespread debate and controversy.
The latest photograph has reignited admiration for the cricket legend, with fans praising both his healthier lifestyle and enduring legacy in the sport.
