Sri Lanka | Allrounder
Madagamagamage Dasun Shanaka is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer and former limited overs captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. An All-rounder, Shanaka is a right-arm medium fast bowler and an aggressive lower order batsman.
| Full Name Madagamagamage Dasun Shanaka | Born September 09, 1991 | Education St. Peters College – Negombo, Maristella College |
| Batting Style Right hand Bat | Bowling Style Right arm Medium | Playing Role Allrounder |
| Age 33y 255d | Height 6ft | Birt Place Negombo |
Teams
Dasun Shanaka: Sri Lanka’s Dynamic All-Rounder – A Comprehensive Career Breakdown
About Him
Madagamagamage Dasun Shanaka (born September 9, 1991) is a Sri Lankan right-arm all-rounder renowned for his explosive lower-order batting and steady medium-pace bowling. Hailing from Negombo, Shanaka combines aggressive strokeplay with leadership acumen, making him a pivotal figure in Sri Lankan cricket .
Early Career & Domestic Journey
Shanaka’s cricketing journey began in his hometown, where he honed his skills before rising through the ranks of domestic cricket. Initially overlooked, he earned recognition for his hard-hitting batting and economical bowling for Nondescripts Cricket Club in the Premier League Tournament. His breakthrough came during the 2015–16 domestic season, where he showcased his ability to anchor innings and deliver crucial cameos .
Transitioning to leadership, Shanaka captained Nondescripts CC, leading them to multiple titles. His performances in domestic cricket solidified his reputation as a match-winner, eventually earning him a spot in the national team .
International Career: From Debut to Captaincy
Shanaka made his T20I debut against Pakistan in August 2015 but struggled initially to cement his place . However, his turning point came in 2021 when he was appointed captain of Sri Lanka’s T20I and ODI teams . Under his leadership, Sri Lanka clinched the 2022 Asia Cup and displayed resilience in ICC tournaments .
- Batting : Shanaka thrives as a finisher, capable of turning matches with his unorthodox strokes. His standout knock of 74 off 42 balls * against South Africa in 2021 exemplified his clutch performances .
- Bowling : Though primarily a batsman, his accurate medium pace and variations provide balance to the side.
- Captaincy : Shanaka’s fearless approach saw Sri Lanka defeat top teams like India and England in high-pressure games, earning him respect as a tactician .
Despite stepping down as captain in 2023, his leadership legacy remains influential in shaping Sri Lanka’s aggressive playing style.
IPL Career: Gujarat Titans’ Game-Changer
Shanaka joined the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022 auction for ₹8.5 crore, becoming one of Sri Lanka’s highest-paid players . While his consistency has been questioned, his ability to score quick runs in the death overs (e.g., 32-ball 53* vs Rajasthan Royals in 2023) adds firepower to the Titans’ lineup.
His IPL stint has elevated his global profile, though critics argue he needs to replicate his international form more regularly in the league .
Other T20 Leagues & T10 Stint
- Pakistan Super League (PSL) : Represented Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi , showcasing his adaptability on pitches favoring spin .
- Abu Dhabi T10 League : Played for Maratha Arabians , excelling as a finisher in the ultra-short format .
- International League T20 (ILT20) : Starred for Gulf Giants in 2023, scoring 173 runs at a strike rate of 155.86, underlining his T20 franchise value .
Strengths & Impactful Zones
Shanaka’s forte lies in power-hitting under pressure , particularly in the 16th–20th overs of T20s. His unorthodox shots, including the reverse sweep and pull drives, unsettle bowlers. Defensively, his sharp reflexes in the field and ability to bowl tight death overs add versatility .
Notably, his captaincy during Sri Lanka’s 2022 Asia Cup triumph highlighted his strategic nous, as he led from the front with a gritty 42* against Pakistan in the final.
Legacy & Future Prospects
Shanaka’s legacy is defined by his transformation from a fringe player to Sri Lanka’s captain and a sought-after T20 commodity. Though his Test career remains limited (only 2 matches), his white-ball contributions have inspired a new generation of Sri Lankan all-rounders.
While his inconsistency in franchise leagues invites scrutiny, his leadership and finishing skills ensure his relevance across formats. At 34 (as of 2025), Shanaka continues to defy odds, symbolizing resilience and adaptability in modern cricket.
Dasun Shanaka Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 6 | 12 | 2 | 140 | 66* | 14.00 | 276 | 50.72 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| ODIs | 71 | 63 | 5 | 1299 | 108* | 22.39 | 1420 | 91.47 | 2 | 4 | 103 | 42 | 18 | 0 |
| T20Is | 102 | 94 | 20 | 1456 | 74* | 19.67 | 1189 | 122.45 | 0 | 5 | 107 | 72 | 39 | 0 |
| FC | 76 | 109 | 11 | 4225 | 130 | 43.11 | 5690 | 74.25 | 13 | 22 | 387 | 154 | 48 | 0 |
| List A | 179 | 151 | 23 | 3383 | 108* | 26.42 | 3531 | 95.80 | 3 | 11 | 236 | 148 | 65 | 0 |
| T20s | 243 | 222 | 52 | 4449 | 131* | 26.17 | 3123 | 142.45 | 3 | 16 | 328 | 256 | 88 | 0 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 6 | 8 | 762 | 431 | 13 | 3/46 | 5/112 | 33.15 | 3.39 | 58.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 71 | 46 | 1056 | 999 | 27 | 5/43 | 5/43 | 37.00 | 5.67 | 39.1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| T20Is | 102 | 53 | 522 | 719 | 33 | 3/16 | 3/16 | 21.78 | 8.26 | 15.8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 76 | 92 | 4757 | 2900 | 92 | 6/69 | 8/84 | 31.52 | 3.65 | 51.7 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| List A | 179 | 114 | 3062 | 2740 | 93 | 5/43 | 5/43 | 29.46 | 5.36 | 32.9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| T20s | 243 | 129 | 1561 | 2302 | 91 | 4/16 | 4/16 | 25.29 | 8.84 | 17.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Dasun Shanaka T20 Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILT20 | DC | 26 | 22 | 8 | 364 | 58* | 26.00 | 266 | 136.84 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 18 | 14 | 0 |
| LPL | 3 teams | 44 | 41 | 9 | 794 | 73 | 24.81 | 527 | 150.66 | 0 | 2 | 66 | 42 | 11 | 0 |
| BPL | 4 teams | 16 | 14 | 3 | 264 | 75* | 24.00 | 181 | 145.85 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 20 | 4 | 0 |
| Major League Cricket | SEO | 3 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 10* | 13.50 | 24 | 112.50 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL | GT | 3 | 3 | 1 | 26 | 17 | 13.00 | 26 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| PSL | PZ | 2 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 16* | 27.00 | 26 | 103.84 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILT20 | DC | 26 | 3 | 30 | 57 | 1 | 1/24 | 1/24 | 57.00 | 11.40 | 30.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LPL | 3 teams | 44 | 30 | 395 | 597 | 23 | 3/20 | 3/20 | 25.95 | 9.06 | 17.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| BPL | 4 teams | 16 | 14 | 218 | 359 | 14 | 4/16 | 4/16 | 25.64 | 9.88 | 15.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Major League Cricket | SEO | 3 | 3 | 24 | 49 | 0 | – | – | – | 12.25 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL | GT | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| PSL | PZ | 2 | 1 | 12 | 22 | 0 | – | – | – | 11.00 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of Dasun Shanaka
Test Matches
Debut
England vs Sri Lanka at Leeds – May 19 – 21, 2016
Last
Sri Lanka vs England at Galle – January 14 – 18, 2021
ODI Matches
Debut
Ireland vs Sri Lanka at Dublin (Malahide) – June 16, 2016
Last
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe at Colombo (RPS) – January 08, 2024
T20I Matches
Debut
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan at Colombo (RPS) – August 01, 2015
Last
Sri Lanka vs India at Pallekele – July 28, 2024
FC Matches
Debut
Lankan CC vs Sinhalese at Colombo (SSC) – January 27 – 29, 2012
Last
Kandy vs Dambulla at Colombo (RPS) – April 03 – 06, 2025
List A Matches
Debut
Tamil Union vs Sinhalese at Colombo (SSC) – December 06, 2011
Last
Colombo vs Jaffna at Dambulla – October 06, 2024
T20 Matches
Debut
Sinhalese vs Burgher at Colombo (Bloomfield) – March 26, 2012
Last
Vipers vs DC at Dubai (DICS) – February 09, 2025
2025 IPL TEAM
Delhi Capitals Sunrisers Hyderabad Rajasthan Royals Chennai Super kings Gujrat Titans Kolkata knight Riders Lucknow Super Giants Mumbai Indians Punjab Kings Royal Challengers Bengaluru