De Silva's make up in the game specially his batting has been carefree, explosive and daring. But with experience he has mellowed and what one sees now is a solid batsman playing for team and country.
When Sri Lanka went into lunch at 106 for 5 it looked as though it was curtains as far as this Test was concerned. De Silva and his team mates would certainly not have enjoyed their lunch.
But after lunch de Silva and Kumara Dharmasena changed the complexion of the game dramatically with an admirable and gutty stand of 103 which frustrated the Indian victory push and carpeted the road for a great escape from defeat.
The Indian attack which was made to look penetrative and match winning owing to some irresponsible batting by the earlier recognised batsmen was made to look ordinary as de Silva and Dharmasena got their act together.
True the odd ball did creep and jump owing to the uncertainty of the wicket which sprouted cracks from the first day. But de Silva who is now well versed in these intricacies used his experience to instil discipline and patience in his batting to play an innings that was worth much more than its weight in gold.
De Silva's bat has never been straighter. He has the hunger to go for his shots whatever the situation. But when his team's best five batsmen had gone he made it his business to stay put at the wicket cut out the risks and the frills and save his team from the humilation of defeat. And that he did in grand style and character!
It is hoped that de Silva's act would have rubbed off on all his team mates and that they too would shoulder responsibility in the Second Test which starts tomorrow and the Third Test to follow.
Kumara Dharmasena who was an ideal foil for de Silva is fast turning out into being an excellent allrounder. If he fails with the ball he makes it a point of coming good with the bat as he showed in this Test.
Dharmasena seems to be the ideal man for a crisis. I was in Zimbabwe covering the team's visit there in 1994 where he first served notice of being a more than ordinary batsman. In Bulawayo where defeat was staring Sri Lanka in the face he played a gem of an innings and together with Gurusinha steered Sri Lanka to safety.
Dr. Kitta Rajaratnam who has been a great follower of Sri Lanka cricket and whose hospital and home is always open to visiting Sri Lankan teams and in whose company I was during that act predicted a great future for this lad. And Dr. Rajaratnam who is at the moment on holiday here with his very helpful wife Soma would have been happy to watch the way Dharmasena performed.
Marvan Atapattu who made his maiden Test century will also not forget this game. He showed that he has the technique and temperament of turning out into being a competent opening batsman. His one chink is that he does not get in line with the ball when trying to drive on the off on the back foot. Coach Yardley would have noticed that and would have put right that little chink.
The umpiring left much to be desired. It was marked by inconsistency. And that is inexcusable. We admit that umpiring is no easy task. But what is required in good umpiring is consistency. And if that is lacking then the players and the game suffers.
It is hoped that the Sri Lankans will raise their game in the Second Test beginning tomorrow. Man to man they are as equal or even better than their opponents. What they must do is believe in themselves and then the pieces will fall in place.
According to the commentators it is winter in Mohali. If that is true then it is poor planning by the Indian Cricket Board.
Who plays cricket in winter?