Nationality: Sri Lanka
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Offbreak
Date of Birth: 1993-10-04 Age: 31
Mahamarakkala Kurukulasooriya Patabendige Akila Dananjaya Perera, commonly known as Akila Dananjaya, is a talented cricket player hailing from the paradise island of Sri Lanka.
Born on October 4, 1993, in Panadura, Sri Lanka, Dananjaya has made a name for himself as a formidable spinner with remarkable control over his unorthodox deliveries.
Dananjaya's journey into the world of international cricket began with controversy.
In an unprecedented move, he was selected for Sri Lanka's preliminary squad for the 2012 T20 World Cup despite having never played a professional match.
This decision raised many eyebrows, but it was the testament to his extraordinary talent and undeniable potential that led him to this feat.
Able to unleash a dazzling array of deliveries including the legbreak, googly, carrom ball, doosra, and offspinner, Dananjaya's spin prowess impressed Sri Lanka's captain at the time, the legendary Mahela Jayawardene.
Jayawardene observed Dananjaya's skills closely during a net session and was so impressed that he recommended the young spinner's fast-tracked inclusion in the national squad.
Dananjaya's debut for Sri Lanka came in the 2012 T20 World Cup.
He played three matches in the tournament, including the final, showcasing his abilities on the grand stage.
However, once Jayawardene stepped down as captain, Dananjaya fell out of favor with the selectors, and it took a few years for his comeback to materialize.
In 2017, Dananjaya returned to the international cricket scene, making an immediate impact.
He displayed his mastery by taking an impressive six-wicket haul against India in an ODI match.
The following year, he achieved another six-wicket feat against South Africa, further cementing his place in the national team.
His prowess was not limited to limited-overs cricket.
Dananjaya successfully made his mark in Test cricket, where he achieved four five-wicket hauls in his first six matches.
This remarkable accomplishment solidified his position as a versatile and valuable asset to Sri Lanka's cricket team.
Despite his incredible talent, Dananjaya faced a significant setback in September 2019 when he was banned from international cricket for a year due to an illegal bowling action.
This period was undoubtedly difficult for him, but true to his resilient character, he made an extraordinary return to the game.
In March 2021, Dananjaya made a spectacular comeback during a T20 International match in Antigua.
He stunned the cricket world by taking a hat-trick in a single over.
However, in a twist of fate, he also faced the wrath of Kieron Pollard, who smashed him for six sixes in the same game.
Despite this setback, Dananjaya demonstrated his ability to rise above challenging circumstances and bounce back stronger.
As of now, Dananjaya continues to be a vital part of Sri Lanka's cricket team, contributing his unique skills with the ball.
With many years ahead of him in his cricketing career, the spinner will undoubtedly continue to evolve, mesmerizing cricket enthusiasts worldwide with his unorthodox deliveries and remarkable control.
Batting Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 6s | 4s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 23 | 22 | 3 | 164 | 50 | 7.45 | 271 | 60.52 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| T20I | 10 | 9 | 5 | 34 | 9 | 3.78 | 36 | 94.44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| FC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 16 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 29 | 10 | 3.63 | 48 | 60.42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| List A | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3.00 | 5 | 60.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling Stats
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Ave | Econ | Wide | NoBall | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 29 | 29 | 38 | 1360 | 267.1 | 35.79 | 5.09 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| T20I | 19 | 19 | 16 | 590 | 65.1 | 36.88 | 9.06 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 2 | 4 | 12 | 324 | 122 | 27.00 | 2.66 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| T20 | 21 | 21 | 15 | 611 | 69.2 | 40.73 | 8.83 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 3 | 3 | 6 | 153 | 27 | 25.50 | 5.67 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| T10 | 16 | 12 | 6 | 235 | 21.3 | 39.17 | 11.03 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Last updated: 2024-12-17
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