An astonishing story comes to you as we unfold how one of MS Dhoni’s dressing room teammates in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) disguised himself as a bus drive in Melbourne, Australia. Hewa Kaluhlamulage Suraj Randiv Kaluhlamula, formerly known as Mohammed Marshuk Mohammed Suraj, Randiv was once a renowned name in the cricket world.
The former Sri Lankan cricketer represented CSK for two seasons after the 2011 IPL auction. However, after exploring various cricket leagues around the world, he decided to change his career and start a new journey outside the world of cricket.
Initially, Randiv’s plans to move to Australia were based only on his cricket career, having played at district level representing the Dandenong Cricket Club. (Virat Kohli’s fitness regime revealed – in pictures)
In December 2020, Randiv also received an invitation from Cricket Australia to work as a net bowler for the cricketers, helping them prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Still can’t remember Randiv? Let us give you an example which may ring some bells. During the India vs Sri Lanka ODI series at home, Sehwag was batting on 99 when the 38-year-old spinner bowled a deliberate no-ball.
6 years ago on this day, Heva Kaluhalamulage Suraj Randiv Kaluhalamula did this, scored 6 runs but I was not out on 99. pic.twitter.com/iwhOFdtQNL– Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 16 August 2016
Sri Lanka Cricket suspended Randiv for one match and he also had to apologize to Sehwag for deliberately overstepping while bowling.
Randiv was not part of Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2011 World Cup but was later included in the squad in place of Angelo Mathews.
Rohit Sharma said, “Mohammed Shami went for the appeal, but Dasun Shanaka was batting on 98, so we didn’t want to get him out like that.”
that’s the difference @KumarSanga2 Suraj Randiv and the Indian @virendersehwag I missed 100 that day.#indvsl #SLvsIND pic.twitter.com/XpYqDCGVZu
– (@gofida2hemanth) 10 January 2023
Now, far away from his cricket controversies and exploits, he drives the streets of Melbourne as a bus driver.
Randiv has taken 43 Test, 36 ODI and 7 T20I wickets for Sri Lanka. He played 8 matches in IPL with Chennai Super Kings and took 6 wickets at an economy rate of 7.69.