Asela Gunasekara

Asela Gunasekara
Nationality: Sri Lanka
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Date of Birth: 1977-05-30 Age: 47

Bio

Career Stats

Fixtures

Teams

Asela Gunasekara's story is one of resilience, skill, and a profound love for the game of cricket. Born on the 30th of May, 1977, in the cricket-fervent city of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Asela's journey in cricket began in the dusty fields near his family home, where he first picked up a bat at the tender age of seven. Surrounded by cricket enthusiasts, he developed a voracious appetite for the game, nurtured by watching local matches and training sessions wherever he could find them.

A naturally gifted left-hand batsman, Asela complemented his skill with the ball, becoming a right-arm fast bowler. The dual talent he possessed did not remain hidden for long. Asela's big break came when he was selected to play for his local school's team. His exceptional performances there, characterized by gritty batting and incisive fast bowling, soon earned him a spot in the national under-19 team. The transition from potential to performance was seamless, leading to his debut for the national side in the late ’90s—a memorable moment that saw him steer his team to a remarkable victory.

Throughout his career, Gunasekara was instrumental in several major achievements for his national team. He was pivotal in capturing the much-coveted ICC Champions Trophy, where his all-round contributions were lauded by critics and fans alike. His career is sprinkled with brilliant spells of bowling and anchoring batting performances. In particular, his rivalry with the Australian cricket team was always a spectacle; one remembers vividly — a chilling spell in the 2003 series where he dismantled their batting order with his tenacity and pace.

Blessed with a robust batting stance and a graceful, yet deadly, fast bowling action, he was known for his ability to adapt to the game’s demands, whether it was steadfast defence or unleashing fiery bouncers. A stand-out instance was his match-winning fifty in the dying overs against Pakistan, turning what seemed a lost cause into a spectacular win.

Asela's on-field contributions were just part of his legacy. Off the field, he became a mentor to upcoming players, instilling in them the virtues of dedication, discipline, and love for cricket. Asela Gunasekara will always be remembered as a player who left an indelible mark on the game, inspiring countless young cricketers to dream big.