Sri Lanka | Bowler
Kiribathgala Kankanamalage Eshan Malinga Dharmasena is a Sri Lankan cricketer.
| Full Name Kiribathgala Kankanamalage Eshan Malinga Dharmasena | Born February 04, 2001 | Age 24y 99d |
| Batting Style Left hand Bat | Bowling Style Right arm Fast medium | Playing Role Bowler |
| Education Sivali Central College, Ratnapura | Birth Place Ratnapura,Srilanka | Nationality Srilanka |
Eshan Teams
Eshan Malinga: Sri Lanka’s Rising Bowling Sensation – A Comprehensive Career Breakdown
About Him & Early Life
Born on February 4, 2001 , in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka , Eshan Malinga emerged as a promising fast bowler with a reputation for raw pace and accuracy. Despite sharing a surname with legendary Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga , the two are unrelated . Nicknamed the “Ratnapura Express” and “Opanayke Express” , Eshan’s journey began in local cricket academies, where his fiery bowling caught the attention of selectors early on .
Eshan Early Career & Domestic Rise
Eshan’s breakthrough came in 2022 when he debuted for Ragama Cricket Club , a Colombo-based team. His performances in domestic cricket were electric:
- T20 Debut (May 2022) : He immediately showcased his ability to trouble batters with sharp yorkers and toe-crushing deliveries .
- List A Debut (July 2022) : In limited-overs cricket, he maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.03 while scalping four wickets in five ODIs .
- By 2023, his consistency earned him a spot in Sri Lanka’s developmental squads, setting the stage for international recognition .
Transitioning from club to national cricket, Eshan’s aggressive approach and knack for late-innings breakthroughs made him a standout in domestic leagues .
International Career: Breaking into the National Side
Eshan’s international debut came in 2024 during Sri Lanka’s ODI series against South Africa . Though still a fledgling presence, his performances hinted at future stardom:
- ODI Stats (2024) : Took 4 wickets in 5 matches , blending pace with clever variations .
- T20 Internationals : As of 2025, he has claimed 17 wickets in 16 T20s , often tasked with dismantling middle orders or delivering death overs .
His ability to swing the ball both ways and maintain composure under pressure has cemented his role in Sri Lanka’s rebuilding phase .
IPL 2025: A Star in the Making
Eshan’s inclusion in the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad for IPL 2025 marked a turning point. Bought for INR 1.20 Crore at the mega auction, he made his debut on April 12, 2025 , against Punjab Kings .Key highlights include:
- Role : A right-arm fast-medium bowler specializing in death overs and powerplay spells .
- Impact : Though still adapting to IPL conditions, his consistent speeds above 140 km/h and sharp bouncers have drawn comparisons to young Lasith Malinga.
- Challenges : Struggled slightly with consistency in his first season but remains a key asset for SRH’s bowling depth .
Other Leagues: T20 & T10 Ventures
Beyond the IPL, Eshan has dominated regional T20 leagues:
- Domestic T20s : His 17 wickets in 16 matches for Ragama Cricket Club highlight his adaptability to shorter formats .
- T10 Leagues : As of 2025, there’s no record of T10 participation, but his aggressive style suits the format’s demands .
His growing reputation has sparked interest from global franchises, signaling potential future stints in leagues like the Big Bash League (BBL) or SA20 .
Eshan Strong Zone: Pace, Yorkers, and Death Bowling
Eshan thrives in high-pressure situations, particularly in death overs. His strengths include:
- Raw Pace : Regularly clocks 140–145 km/h , troubling even seasoned batters .
- Yorks & Bouncers : Deadly at the death, with a near-perfect release point for toe-crushing yorkers.
- Swing Mastery : Can swing the ball both ways, making him lethal in overcast conditions.
Transitioning from domestic to international cricket, his adaptability to varied pitches—from seamer-friendly Wankhede to spin-heavy Colombo tracks—has been remarkable .
Legacy & Future Prospects
Though still in his early 20s, Eshan Malinga’s trajectory mirrors that of a future Sri Lankan great. While comparisons to Lasith Malinga are inevitable, Eshan’s unique blend of pace and control sets him apart. With consistent performances in the IPL and international cricket, he aims to:
- Become Sri Lanka’s go-to death bowler.
- Inspire the next generation of fast bowlers in a nation historically reliant on spin.
- Cement his place in global franchise leagues, following in the footsteps of Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi
Eshan Malinga Career Stats
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 5 | 5 | 156 | 157 | 4 | 3/35 | 3/35 | 39.25 | 6.03 | 39.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 16 | 27 | 1805 | 1121 | 39 | 4/33 | 6/67 | 28.74 | 3.72 | 46.2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 17 | 16 | 668 | 660 | 24 | 5/49 | 5/49 | 27.50 | 5.92 | 27.8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| T20s | 20 | 20 | 392 | 530 | 23 | 2/10 | 2/10 | 23.04 | 8.11 | 17.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 5 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 5.00 | 44 | 22.72 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FC | 16 | 17 | 9 | 33 | 15 | 4.12 | 142 | 23.23 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| List A | 17 | 12 | 9 | 33 | 7* | 11.00 | 88 | 37.50 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| T20s | 20 | 5 | 3 | 24 | 15 | 12.00 | 23 | 104.34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
Eshan Malinga T20 Stats
Bowling
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | SRH | 4 | 4 | 90 | 142 | 6 | 2/36 | 2/36 | 23.66 | 9.46 | 15.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SA20 | PR | 3 | 3 | 72 | 106 | 4 | 2/21 | 2/21 | 26.50 | 8.83 | 18.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LPL | JK | 1 | 1 | 11 | 26 | 0 | – | – | – | 14.18 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Batting & Fielding
| Tournament | Teams | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | SRH | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| SA20 | PR | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8.00 | 4 | 200.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| LPL | JK | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 15.00 | 17 | 88.23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Debut/Last Matches of Eshan Malinga
ODI Matches
Debut
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka at Wellington – January 05, 2025
Last
Sri Lanka vs Australia at Colombo (RPS) – February 14, 2025
FC Matches
Debut
Ragama CC vs Kurunegala at Kurunegala – September 02 – 04, 2022
Last
SA A vs Sri Lanka A at Benoni – September 15 – 18, 2024
List A Matches
Debut
Ragama CC vs Negombo at Katunayake – July 05, 2022
Last
Sri Lanka vs Australia at Colombo (RPS) – February 14, 2025
T20 Matches
Debut
Ragama CC vs Panadura at Colombo (Colts) – May 25, 2022
Last
DC vs SRH at Hyderabad – May 05, 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