Dasun Shanaka Profile: Know Career Stats and Personal Life

Dasun Shanaka is a Sri Lankan cricketer and the captain of Sri Lanka’s T20I team. He first played T20I cricket for Sri Lanka on 1 August 2015 against Pakistan, becoming the 58th T20I player for the country.

Shanaka made his Test debut on 19 May 2016 against England. In that match, he took his first Test wicket by dismissing England captain Alastair Cook. He finished with figures of 3 for 46, but scored only 4 runs in the match, and Sri Lanka lost by an innings and 88 runs.

He made his ODI debut against Ireland on 16 June 2016. He scored 42 runs from just 19 balls and also took 5 wickets for 42 runs. He became the 12th player in ODI history, and the 3rd Sri Lankan, to take a five-wicket haul on ODI debut. He was also named Player of the Series. Shanaka later led Sri Lanka to win the 2022 Asia Cup, which was Sri Lanka’s sixth Asia Cup title.

Dasun Shanaka Records and Achievement

Dasun Shanaka created a new Sri Lankan T20I record in the Sri Lanka vs Oman match at the T20 World Cup 2026. He hit the fastest T20I fifty ever for Sri Lanka, reaching 50 runs in just 19 balls on 12 February 2026 in Pallekele. 

This was special because Shanaka broke his own previous record, which was a 20-ball fifty vs India in Pune on 4 January 2023.  In just 10 balls of his innings, he smashed 2 fours and 5 sixes. This innings also confirmed that Shanaka is now officially the fastest fifty-maker in Sri Lanka’s T20I history.

Shanaka hit a record 16 sixes in one innings, scoring 123 runs off 46 balls against Saracens Sports Club in an AIA Premier T20 match. Just one week earlier, he had also scored a massive 131 runs off 48 balls against Galle Cricket Club.

Dasun Shanaka Career Stats 

In Tests, Dasun Shanaka has played 6 matches and scored 140 runs, with 1 fifty. With the ball, he has taken 13 wickets, and his best bowling is 3/46.

In ODIs, he has played 71 matches and scored 1299 runs. He has 2 centuries and 4 fifties. As a bowler in ODIs, he has taken 27 wickets, with one 5-wicket haul in the format.

In T20Is, Shanaka has played 126 matches and scored 1797 runs. In bowling, he has taken 43 wickets, with best figures of 3/16.

In First-Class cricket, he has played 76 matches and scored 4225 runs. With the ball in FC cricket, he has taken 92 wickets. He has taken three 5-wicket hauls.

Dasun Shanaka’s Personal Life

Dasun Shanaka got married on 5 September 2020 to his girlfriend, Chevanthi. They had been together for almost three years before getting married. Their wedding took place at the Avanra Garden Hotel in Negombo.

Shanaka shared in an interview that he enjoys being captain, but also admits it is hard work because you need to make sure everything is in the right place. He also mentioned that captaincy becomes more challenging in league cricket because players come from different environments and styles.

Shanaka also sees himself as a “utility” player for the team. Since he does not bat at the top, he focuses on giving the team a spark whenever needed, either through aggressive batting or by making a difference with his bowling.

He has also spoken about life challenges, saying that you need to be tough and that real growth happens when you go through difficult phases. According to him, the best version of a person comes out after going through that struggle, and he feels happy about the version of himself he has become.

FAQs

Q. When did Dasun Shanaka make his T20I debut?

A. In international cricket, Shanaka made his T20I debut against Pakistan in August 2015.

Q. Is Dasun Shanaka married?

A. Dasun Shanaka got married on 5 September 2020 to his girlfriend, Chevanthi.

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