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Dunith Wellalage:Biography

Dunith Wellalage

Dunith Wellalanga is a cricketer who plays internationally for Sri Lanka and domestically for Jaffna Kings in Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed batter and a right-arm off-break bowler who can bowl various types of deliveries, such as the carrom ball, the doosra, and the googly. He made his international debut for Sri Lanka in June 2023. He currently plays for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in club cricket, winning the championship as a key player in 2023. His bowling action resembles that of former Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, who coincidentally happened to be his mentor with the Sri Lanka Army Sports Club cricket, whom he has represented in the Sri Lankan domestic game.

Early Life and Family

Dunith Wellalanga was born on January 9, 2003, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He grew up with his grandmother and hailed from Siddhartha Vidyalaya, Sedawatta. Two of the old boys from St. Benedict's College, Colombo requested the guardian of Wellalanga to switch their location to Kotahena in order to make Wellalanga play school cricket representing St. Benedict's College. The Cricket Wing of St. Benedict's volunteered to look after his finances in the first two years and later the St. Benedict's College granted him a scholarship offer. He repaid the faith by winning the All Island Best All Rounder Award during his final year at St. Benedict's College.

Personal Life

Dunith Wellalanga is unmarried and lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is fluent in Sinhala, English, and Tamil. He holds a bachelor's degree in sports management from Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. He is also a qualified cricket coach and has worked as a player-coach at Sinhalese Sports Club. He enjoys travelling, reading, and listening to music in his spare time.

Early Cricket Career

Dunith Wellalanga started playing cricket at Prince of Wales College, where he received guidance from former Sri Lankan cricketer Roy Dias. He represented Sri Lanka at various age-group levels and was part of the squad that played in the 2023 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. He made his first-class debut for Colts Cricket Club against Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in the 2023–24 Premier League Tournament and scored 23 runs on debut. He also made his List A debut for Colts Cricket Club against Badureliya Sports Club in the same season and scored 64 runs.

International Debut

Dunith Wellalanga made his One Day International (ODI) debut for Sri Lanka against Australia at Pallekele on June 14, 2023. He took four wickets for 37 runs and was named the player of the match as Sri Lanka won by eight wickets. He made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Sri Lanka against India at Colombo on July 16, 2023. He took three wickets for 17 runs as Sri Lanka won by four wickets.

He has not played any Test matches for Sri Lanka yet.

ODI Career

Dunith Wellalanga has played six ODIs for Sri Lanka until October 2023, scoring 97 runs at an average of 16.16 and a strike rate of 87.38. He has hit no centuries and no half-centuries with a highest score of 35 not out. He has also bowled 114 balls and taken two wickets. His best bowling figures are 4/37. He has also taken no catches.

T20I Career

Dunith Wellalanga has played four T20Is for Sri Lanka until November 2022, scoring 35 runs at an average of 8.75 and a strike rate of 100.00. He has hit no centuries and no half-centuries with a highest score of 22 not out. He has also bowled - balls and taken - wickets. His best bowling figures are -/-. He has also taken - catches.

Test Career

Dunith Wellalanga has not played any Test matches for Sri Lanka yet.

Records and Achievements

  • He is the second-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in the 2023 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, with 14 wickets at an average of 15.35.
  • He is the first person to take four wickets on ODI debut for Sri Lanka, doing so with 4/37 against Australia at Pallekele on June 14, 2023.
  • He is the first person to take three wickets on T20I debut for Sri Lanka, doing so with 3/17 against India at Colombo on July 16, 2023.
  • He is the first person to take four wickets in an innings in the Indian Premier League, doing so with 4/18 for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians at Mumbai on April 10, 2023.

Awards and Honors

  • He was named the player of the match once in ODIs, for his bowling figures of 4/37 against Australia at Pallekele on June 14, 2023.
  • He was named the player of the match once in T20Is, for his bowling figures of 3/17 against India at Colombo on July 16, 2023.
  • He was named the player of the series in the T20I series against India in 2023 for taking seven wickets and scoring 35 runs in three matches.
  • He was named the Emerging Cricketer of the Year for the 2023–24 season at Sri Lanka Cricket's annual awards.
  • He was named in the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Month for July 2023 for taking eight wickets and scoring 22 runs in four matches.
  • He was named the Most Valuable Player of the Indian Premier League in 2023 for taking 28 wickets and scoring 67 runs in 16 matches.

Captaincy Stints

Dunith Wellalanga has not captained Sri Lanka in any international matches.

Controversies

Dunith Wellalanga has not been involved in any major controversies in his cricket career.

Conclusion

Dunith Wellalanga is a cricketer who plays internationally for Sri Lanka and domestically for Jaffna Kings in Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed batter and a right-arm off-break bowler who can bowl various types of deliveries, such as the carrom ball, the doosra, and the googly. He made his international debut for Sri Lanka in June 2023. He currently plays for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League in club cricket, winning the championship as a key player in 2023. His bowling action resembles that of former Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, who coincidentally happened to be his mentor with the Sri Lanka Army Sports Club cricket, whom he has represented in the Sri Lankan domestic game. He has achieved several records and accolades for his performances and is one of the rising stars for Sri Lanka.

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