Published: Sep 09, 2016, 11:19 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 09, 2016, 11:19 AM (IST)
Born September 9, 1991, Madagamagamage Dasun Shanaka, commonly known as Dasun Shanaka turns 25. One of Sri Lanka‘s recent picks post the retirements of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, Shanaka impressed cricket enthusiasts with his dream debut against neighbours India at their home, scalping 3 crucial wickets for 16 runs in the series opener of the Twenty20 International (T20I) series in 2016. Shanaka proved to be a wonder on debut across format, bagging important wickets each time and with a clean, disciplined bowling. Batting lower down the order, he also played some brief yet remarkable knocks contributing towards Sri Lanka’s scoreboard. READ: Dasun Shanaka: Sri Lanka’s secret weapon?
Shanaka came to notice of the Lankan selectors after his performances for Sinhalese sports club in domestic level. However, he cemented his spot in the national squad for India tour with his pair of hundreds he scored playing for Saracens Sports Club in a Sri Lankan domestic Twenty20 league. Shanaka scored 123 off 46 deliveries, an innings studded with 16 sixes which is a record in Sri Lanka’s domestic circuit. He followed that performance up with a 48-ball 131, which was enough to get him a chance to represent his nation’s colours.
However, Shanaka announced himself at international level with brilliant performances with the ball in every format of the game. His international debut was at Kanpur; the rookie made full use of the green-top pitch to dismiss the likes of Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. While he registered a 3 for 16 on his T20I debut, his Test debut came in the following tour to England, where he again took 3 wickets on Day One of first Test at Leeds. Among his Test scalps were names like Alastair Cook and Joe Root. He made his One-Day International (ODI) debut against Ireland and once again impressed with a 5 for 43.
Here’s wishing the youngster a very happy birthday and many more to come.
