Duleep is now managing the affairs of the cricket board here after the controversial sacking of Arjuna Ranatunga last month. “My job is to look after the overall working of the board. Even with Ranatunga at the helm, I was doing the same job, and now with sports minister Gamini Lokuge in charge, I am going about things in the same manner. No change as far as I am concerned,” he says.

Former cricketers have gone on to make good coaches, but not many have been strong administrators. “It can work both ways. A cricketer in charge of the board can see things from a cricketing perspective, sparing a thought for cricketers. Sometimes it works well, and sometimes it doesn’t. It really depends on the situation and the individual,” Mendis says.

The 56-year old is confident, despite heavy odds, that the hurriedly arranged series will pull in the spectator interest. And that it will also be keenly fought as his namesake will strike back at the Indians.