Narangoda Liyanaarachchilage Thisara Chirantha Perera, popularly known as Thisara Perera, is a talented and versatile cricket player from Sri Lanka. Born on April 3, 1989, in Bemmulla, Sri Lanka, Perera has been a mainstay in Sri Lanka’s limited-overs squads since his debut in 2010.
Perera’s major skill lies in his right-arm seam bowling. Known for his bustling run-up and ability to generate pace, he has been a key weapon for Sri Lanka in the shorter formats of the game. However, Perera is not just limited to his bowling prowess. He is also a sporadically effective left-handed hitter, often providing furious finishes to an innings.
One of Perera’s strengths is his ability to dominate spin bowling. This has led to his frequent utilization as a pinch-hitter in the middle overs, where he can take the game away from the opposition. However, on occasions, he has struggled against quality pace bowling.
Perera’s performances with both bat and ball often go hand in hand. When in form, he can contribute significantly with both disciplines. A prime example of this was seen in the ODI series against Pakistan in 2014, where he scored 78 runs at a blistering rate of 169.56 and claimed nine wickets at an average of 10.66.
Throughout his career, Perera has enjoyed success against strong teams like Australia and India. He has delivered memorable performances, including his match-winning straight six in the final of the 2014 World T20, which helped Sri Lanka secure the title. Perera’s ability to rise to the occasion has made him a valuable asset for his team.
Perera’s journey in cricket began during his schooling days at St. Anthony’s College, Wattala. He later received a scholarship to join St. Joseph’s College, where he formed a formidable partnership with Angelo Mathews. Together, they produced remarkable performances in the thriving schools cricket scene, and Perera played a pivotal role in ending his school’s 35-year drought in the Battle of the Saints against St. Peter’s College.
His outstanding performances at the school level earned Perera his maiden national call-up during Sri Lanka’s tour of India in 2009 as an emergency replacement for Mathews. Following his impressive debut, he caught the attention of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, who bought him for $50,000. Perera has consistently found employment in the IPL, making him one of the few Sri Lankan players to achieve such a feat.
Despite facing bouts of inconsistency in recent years, Perera has continued to be an indispensable member of the Sri Lanka cricket team. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball, as well as his knack for rising to the occasion, has ensured his place in the side.
With hat-tricks in both ODIs and T20s, Perera’s achievements and potential make him an exciting cricketer to behold. As he continues to mature as a player, Sri Lanka and cricket fans around the world eagerly await more match-winning performances from Thisara Perera.
