Upul Tharanga

Warushavithana Upul Tharanga, commonly known as Upul Tharanga, is a talented cricket player hailing from Sri Lanka.
Born on February 2, 1985, in Ambalangoda, a fishing town on the west coast of Sri Lanka, Tharanga has had a remarkable career in the world of cricket.

Tharanga's journey towards becoming a renowned cricketer began at an early age.
Despite facing personal tragedy when his family home was washed away by the Asian tsunami in 2005, he remained focused on his cricketing ambitions.
Tharanga's skills were apparent from a young age, and he made his debut in Premier League cricket for Singha CC at the tender age of 15.
Swiftly progressing through the ranks, he excelled in the Sri Lanka Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 development squads.

Tharanga's breakthrough performance came during the Under-19 World Cup in 2004.
He played a stunning knock of 117 against South Africa and followed it up with a quickfire 61 in just 42 balls against India.
His consistent performances during the tour with the Under-19 team to Pakistan, including half-centuries in both Test and one-day matches, earned him a stint in the English league cricket, where he excelled for Loughton Cricket Club.

After showcasing his skills in the league, Tharanga was promoted to the Sri Lanka A team.
Impressive performances against West Indies A soon led to his inclusion in the national squad.
However, it was during the 2006 tour of England that Tharanga truly began to shine.
He made his mark in the one-day format, scoring a magnificent century at Lord's in the first match of Sri Lanka's 5-0 whitewash.
He impressed once again in the final match with another century, partnering with Sanath Jayasuriya to create a destructive opening stand of 286 runs in just 32 overs.

Tharanga's form continued to rise with back-to-back centuries in the Champions Trophy.
He was forming a formidable partnership with Jayasuriya until his next century took three years to arrive.
Tharanga showcased his true potential during the 2011 World Cup, scoring an impressive 133 against Zimbabwe and an unbeaten 102 against England during the quarter-finals.

In 2013, Tharanga struck an unbeaten 174 against India in Jamaica during a tri-series in the Caribbean.
However, his journey towards consistency hit a roadblock, and he struggled to maintain his form, enduring a drought of significant scores for 18 innings spread over three years.
Despite facing multiple periods outside the playing XI, he returned during the 2015 World Cup as an injury replacement.
His comeback in 2016 showed greater resilience, earning him the captaincy for the tri-series in Zimbabwe and later retaining the role when Angelo Mathews was ruled out in 2017 for the series in South Africa.

Tharanga has had an illustrious career in ODIs, achieving numerous milestones.
By 2017, he had recorded 13 one-day centuries, joining the exclusive group of Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, and Sanath Jayasuriya as Sri Lanka's finest.
He has consistently represented his country at the highest level and has been a key contributor to Sri Lanka's success in limited-overs cricket.

With his elegant strokeplay, tenacity, and immense talent, Upul Tharanga has become a respected name in international cricket.
His ability to frustrate and thrill spectators in equal measure has cemented his status as one of Sri Lanka's most valuable cricketers.
As Tharanga continues to contribute to Sri Lankan cricket, his legacy as an exceptional batsman and team player remains intact.

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