Dasun Shanaka is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer and the captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. Shanaka bats with his right hand and bowls with his right arm at a fast pace. He is considered an all-rounder player. In 2019, he led the Sri Lankan team in Twenty20 International (T20I) matches against Pakistan and they won the series with a 3-0 victory. In February 2021, before the team’s trip to the West Indies, Shanaka officially replaced Lasith Malinga as the T20I captain of Sri Lanka.
Wiki/Biography
Madagamagamage Dasun Shanaka was born on Monday, 9 September 1991 (age 32 Years; as of 2023) in Negombo, Sri Lanka. His zodiac sign is Virgo. He completed his school education at St. Peter’s College, a Catholic school in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Dasun Shanaka while receiving an honour at St. Peter’s College, Negombo
Later, Dasun Shanaka earned a graduate degree at Maris Stella College, Negombo, Sri Lanka.
Dasun Shanaka at Maris Stella College during an inter-batch sports competition
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 6′
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest: 38 Inches, Waist: 12 Inches, Biceps: 32 Inches
Family
Parents & Siblings
The names of his parents are not known. He has a younger brother.
Dasun Shanaka with his parents (on the extreme left and right), wife, and brother (standing)
Wife & Children
On 5 September 2020, Dasun Shanaka got married to Chewanthi Perera at Avanra Garden Hotel in Negombo. Chewanthi Perera is a fashion designer. The couple has no children.
Dasun Shanaka posing with his wife
Relationships/Affairs
Dasun Shanaka was in a three years relationship with Chewanthi Perera before getting married to her.
Major Records
ODI
- Outstanding bowling analyses in innings (1/0) during Sri Lanka versus Scotland in Bulawayo on 27 June 2023
- Highest partnership for the ninth wicket (100*) during Sri Lanka versus India in Guwahati on 10 January 2023
T20I
- Most runs in innings (by batting position) (74*) during Sri Lanka versus India in Dharamsala on 27 February 2022
- T20I: Most consecutive matches as captain of a team Sri Lanka (45*) on 25 July 2021
Career Statistics
Test Matches (till 2023)
He played 6 matches and scored 140 runs with a batting average of 14.00. He scored one half-century. His top score was 66. He bowled 762 balls and took 13 wickets. His bowling average is 33.156. His best bowling score was 5/112 with 4 catches and zero stumpings.
ODI (till 2023)
He played 48 matches and scored 1,067 runs with a batting average of 26.67. He scored three half-centuries and two centuries. His top score was 108. He bowled 570 balls and took 23 wickets. His bowling average is 38.20. His best bowling score was 5/43 with 9 catches and zero stumpings.
T201 (till 2023)
He played 85 matches and scored 1,328 runs with a batting average of 21.41. He scored five half-centuries. His top score was 74. He bowled 379 balls and took 23 wickets. His bowling average is 22.08. His best bowling score was 3/16 with 29 catches and zero stumpings.
FC (till 2023)
He played 65 matches and scored 3337 runs with a batting average of 39.72. He scored nine half-centuries and 18 centuries. His top score was 130. He bowled 3,585 balls and took 64 wickets. His bowling average is 34.57. His best bowling score was 6/69 with 45 catches and zero stumpings.
Signature/Autograph
An autograph by Dasun Shanaka
Career
Cricket
In July 2015, Dasun Shanaka was chosen to represent Sri Lanka in a series of Twenty20 international (T20I) matches against Pakistan. He became the 58th captain of the Sri Lankan T20I team on 1 August 2015, which also marked his T20I debut. While still on the same tour, on 19 May 2016, Shanaka played his first Test match for Sri Lanka against England.
Dasun Shanaka (batting) while playing a cricket match in 2015
During Sri Lanka’s tour of England in May 2016, Dasun Shanaka scored a century in a first-class match against Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Then, on 16 June 2016, he participated in his first One Day International (ODI) match against Ireland. In that match, Shanaka made an impressive score of 42 runs in 19 balls.
Dasun Shanaka during a Cricket Test Match in 2016
In September 2017, Dasun Shanaka received an invitation to play a T20 match for Sri Lanka against India. He was dismissed without scoring any runs in that game and did not have a chance to bowl. India won the match by 8 wickets. In March 2018, Shanaka was appointed as the vice-captain of the Galle team for the 2017-18 Super Four Provincial Tournament. The following month, he was selected as the vice-captain of the Galle team again, this time for the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.
Dasun Shanaka during the Super Provincial One-Day Tournament in 2018
In August 2018, Dasun Shanaka was chosen to be part of Kandy’s team for the 2018 SLC T20 League. Throughout the tournament, he performed exceptionally well, scoring a total of 312 runs in six matches. He even achieved a century in Kandy’s championship match. As a result, Shanaka emerged as the top run scorer for the Kandy team during the tournament.
Dasun Shanaka during the Kandy’s championship match
In May 2018, before the start of the 2018-19 season, Dasun Shanaka was among the 33 cricketers who were awarded a national contract by Sri Lanka Cricket.
Dasun Shanaka while playing at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in 2018
In March 2019, Dasun Shanaka joined Dambulla’s team for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament. Later, in November 2019, he was selected to play for the Cumilla Warriors in the Bangladesh Premier League for the 2019-20 season. In August 2021, Shanaka was appointed as the captain of the SLC Greys team for the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League competition. Subsequently, in July 2022, he signed with the Dambulla Giants to participate in the Third Lanka Premier League.
Dasun Shanaka on the poster of the Lanka Premier League in 2020
Shanaka was chosen to be the captain of Sri Lanka’s T20I team for a series against the Pakistan Cricket Team in Pakistan in September 2019. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka won the first T20I match by 64 runs, marking the first time in six years that Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in a 20-over match. In February 2021, Shanaka was once again selected as the captain of Sri Lanka’s T20I team for a series against the West Indies Cricket Team. After Kusal Perera was dismissed as captain following Sri Lanka’s loss to England in June 2021, Shanaka was reappointed as captain for the T20I series against India. Shanaka was also chosen to lead Sri Lanka’s team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021. Additionally, Shanaka was selected as the captain for Sri Lanka’s ODI (one-day international) series against India in July 2021. Under Shanaka’s leadership, Sri Lanka achieved six titles, including winning the 2022 Asia Cup.
Dasun Shanaka in an interview during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
In January 2022, Shanaka achieved his first century by scoring 102 runs in the second ODI against Zimbabwe. Despite his impressive performance, Sri Lanka lost the match by 22 runs. On 11 June 2022, Shanaka played a crucial inning that led Sri Lanka to victory against Australia. In September 2022, Shanaka captained Sri Lanka in the UAE-hosted 2022 Asia Cup Twenty20 series. Sri Lanka faced a defeat by Afghanistan in the opening game, with a margin of 8 wickets. However, in the following match against Bangladesh, Shanaka scored a match-winning inning of 45 runs. Sri Lanka won the game by one wicket, securing their spot in the Super 4 round.
Dasun Shanaka during the UAE-hosted 2022 Asia Cup Twenty20 series
In September 2022, Sri Lanka achieved two consecutive victories and continued their winning streak by defeating India by six wickets in an impressive chase. In the Super 4 Asia Cup 2022 game against Pakistan, Dasun Shanaka played a key role in leading the team to yet another remarkable victory, making it four consecutive successful chases. During the same month, Shanaka, as the captain of the Sri Lanka Cricket Team, decided to bat first in the championship match after losing the toss. Sri Lanka managed to score a total of 170 runs after a successful partnership between Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga. Pakistan’s chase fell apart as they fell short by 23 runs. As a result of Shanaka’s leadership, Sri Lanka emerged as the champions of the Asia Cup 2022 for the sixth time.
Dasun Shanaka while posing with the trophies in September 2022 during the Asia Cup 2022
On 5 January 2023, in a T20I match against India, Dasun Shanaka achieved his fifth half-century. He played an outstanding inning, scoring an unbeaten 56 runs in just 22 balls, including two boundaries and six sixes. In addition to his batting performance, Shanaka also bowled the final over and took two wickets, helping Sri Lanka secure a 16-run victory. His exceptional all-around performance earned him the title of player of the match. On 10 January 2023, in the first ODI match against India, Dasun Shanaka scored his second century in the format. Although his team lost the match, Shanaka’s batting was outstanding. He played an undefeated inning, hitting 12 boundaries and three sixes, and scored 108 runs from 88 deliveries.
Dasun Shanaka during the T20I against India in 2023
On 5 February 2023, during an International League T20 match against the Mumbai Indians, Dasun Shanaka achieved the 15th half-century of his career. He played the inning and scored 58 runs from 36 balls. In partnership with Sikander Raza, they added 122 runs, contributing to Dubai Capitals’ victory by 7 wickets. Shanaka’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award. In February 2023, Dasun Shanaka joined the Peshawar Zalmi team in the Pakistan Super League. In April 2023, he was acquired by the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League as a replacement for Kane Williamson.
Dasun Shanaka at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur in February 2023
Controversy
Punished for breaking the rules set by the ICC
Shanaka was caught changing the ball’s condition during the second Test match against India in 2017. The umpires, both on the field and watching the footage, witnessed the incident and informed the match referee, David Boon. Eventually, Shanaka was found guilty and punished with a fine equal to 75% of his match fee and three demerit points.
Car Collection
He owns BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.
Dasun Shanaka posing in his car
Dasun Shanaka posing with his car
Favourites
- Cricketers: Batsman- AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, and Chris Gayle; Bowler- Wasim Akram and Dale Steyn
- Cricket Ground: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
- Travel Destinations: Colombo, Sigiriya, London, and Dubai
- Singers: Ajith Kumara Siri, Priya Ragus, and Rolex Rasathy
Facts/Trivia
- Dasun’s inclination towards sports started at a young age when he began playing cricket.
Dasun Shanaka’s Player of the Final Cricket medal and trophy in 2015
- Dasun loves playing other sports in his leisure time. He likes listening to music and travelling to distant places.
Dasun Shanaka while on a holiday
- His favourite shots include 16 sixes in innings worth 123 from 46 balls in an AIA Premier T20 match against Saracens Sports Club in January 2016.
- His Jersey Number is #7 when he plays for Sri Lanka as well as when he plays for Gujarat Titans during IPL in 2023.
Dasun Shanaka while celebrating a victory
- Dasun is very close to his coach, Chris Silverwood.
Dasun Shanaka with Chris Silverwood
- In September 2022, during a media interview, Shanaka discussed his attitude and behaviour while playing cricket. He shared,
As a captain, the best thing I can do is give a player the confidence to perform their skills. I also don’t get upset if they make a mistake. A lot of cricket is about emotions; if you can control your emotions, as a team you can go very far.”
During the same conversation, he mentioned that he never puts pressure on his teammates as a captain. Instead, he believes in maintaining a relaxed approach while playing. He further expressed,
I don’t like to put limits and pressure on players. If you put a limit on a player, you can’t get the best out of them on the field. It’s just as important to get them feeling good on the ground as well as off it. As a side, we’ve started to understand that. So the players were quite relaxed and the results followed from that.”
The Sri Lankan Cricket Team with the Asia Cup in 2022
- Dasun Shanaka enjoys staying fit and healthy. He goes to the gym regularly and likes to show his workout sessions on social media by sharing pictures.
Dasun Shanaka clicking a selfie at a gym
- Dasun Shanaka’s wife is the founder of ChewLee, a popular clothing brand in Sri Lanka. They frequently take pictures together to showcase and advertise the brand on social media.
Dasun Shanaka and his wife during a shoot for their clothing brand
- On special occasions, Dasun enjoys sipping on his favourite alcoholic beverages.
Dasun Shanaka’s while enjoying alcohol with his friends
- Dasun Shanaka is a passionate supporter of the environment, and he frequently works to encourage tree plantation in Sri Lanka.
Dasun Shanaka while planting a sapling
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education