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Bhanuka Rajapaksa is a dynamic left-handed batsman from Sri Lanka who has made a name for himself with his hard-hitting abilities and dynamic strokeplay. He burst onto the international cricket scene in 2019 and has since become an integral part of the Sri Lankan limited-overs outfit. Despite facing several setbacks in his career, Rajapaksa has shown resilience and determination to prove his worth at the highest level.
Pramod Bhanuka Bandara Rajapaksa, popularly known as Bhanuka Rajapaksa, was born on 24 October 1991 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He comes from a family with political ties; he is related to former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse. From a young age, Bhanuka was interested in cricket, which he developed playing at school.
He attended Royal College Colombo, where he honed his skills on the field and began to make headlines as a top performer in school cricket tournaments. Despite initial struggles to break through into the national set-up due to competition from other talented players, he persevered with his passion for cricket.
Bhanuka's domestic career began when he joined the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) team in the 2010/11 season of the Premier League Tournament. He quickly established himself as one of their key players after impressing with his performances.
It was during this time that he emerged as Sri Lanka's leading run-scorer in the under-19 World Cup held in New Zealand in 2010. He scored an impressive 253 runs at an average of 42.16, including three fifties and one century. Later that year, he also became the first Sri Lankan U-19 cricketer to score 150 in a U19 ODI innings.
In recognition of his performances, Bhanuka won the 'Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award twice and was named the Young Emerging Player of the Under 19 Category in the Sri Lanka Cricket Awards 2011. He continued to make waves in domestic cricket and played for Barisal Blazers in Bangladesh's NCL T20.
Bhanuka made his international debut during an away tour of Pakistan in October 2019, where he impressed with his dynamic strokeplay. He played a Man of the Match innings in the second T20I of that series, scoring 77 off 48 balls, thereby announcing himself on the international stage.
Since making his debut, Bhanuka has become a regular feature in Sri Lanka's limited-overs teams. He has played several crucial innings and has shown his abilities as a finisher with match-winning knocks against India and Afghanistan at the Asia Cup.
His notable moment came during the Asia Cup final against Pakistan held at Dubai International Stadium on June 26, 2022. Playing as a middle-order batsman, Bhanuka scored an unbeaten 71 off just 60 deliveries to help Sri Lanka recover from a precarious position of 58/5 to post a total of 170 runs. His efforts were duly rewarded as Sri Lanka went on to win their sixth Asia Cup title.
Bhanuka has modelled his game around Australia's Adam Gilchrist and is known for his hard-hitting abilities. He is often described as an aggressive middle-order batsman who can accelerate run-scoring quickly whenever required. His style of play is well-suited for limited-overs cricket where he can take on bowlers with ease.
Controversy has also marred Bhanuka's career. He received a one-year suspended ban from all forms of cricket by Sri Lanka Cricket in July 2021 for breach of contract and not gaining the required permission for media interviews. Additionally, he expressed disappointment over being dropped from the national team based on fitness standards, leading to a controversy with selectors and Sri Lanka cricket authorities.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa's performances in major tournaments have been a mixed bag. He wasn't selected for the 2019 World Cup, a decision that surprised many cricket fans. However, he was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup and played a vital role in the team.
In the World T20, Rajapaksa played three matches and scored 44 runs at an average of 22.00 with a high score of 21. Although his numbers were not impressive, he contributed vital cameos in crucial situations. His best moment came against West Indies when he smashed two sixes in the last over to help Sri Lanka win by four wickets.
Rajapaksa also had notable performances in the 2022 Asia Cup, where he played as a finisher and made match-winning knocks against Afghanistan and India. In the final against Pakistan, he scored an unbeaten 71 which helped Sri Lanka recover from a precarious position of 58/5 to post a total of 170 runs. Sri Lanka won their sixth Asia Cup title.
Besides international tournaments, Rajapaksa has also made notable contributions to franchise cricket leagues. He has played for various teams including Galle Gladiators and Dambulla Giants in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). In IPL 2022, Punjab Kings bought him for INR 4 crores ($535,000) at the auction.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa is described as a hard-hitting left-handed middle-order batsman who models his game around Australia's Adam Gilchrist. His style of play is well-suited for limited-overs cricket where he can be an aggressive batsman who can take on any bowling attack.
Rajapaksa's primary role in the team is to score quick runs when the team needs them the most. He has a strike rate of 131.70 in T20Is and an average of 21.75, which shows his aggressive batting style. Rajapaksa has also played as an opener in LPL, scoring 275 runs at a strike rate of 150.54 in eight matches.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa has a devil-may-care attitude towards attacking cricket which makes him an entertaining player to watch. He enjoys taking on bowlers and playing fearless cricket which has made him popular among cricket fans.
Off the field, Rajapaksa has kept a low profile despite being related to former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse. He is married to Sandrine Perera, whom he has been with for a long time.
Although he hasn't had any major controversies, Rajapaksa did receive a one-year suspension ban from all forms of cricket by Sri Lanka Cricket in July 2021 for breach of contract and not gaining the required permission for media interviews.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa has had a significant impact on Sri Lankan cricket, especially in the limited-overs format. As a hard-hitting middle-order batsman, he brings a unique energy to the game that inspires his teammates and excites fans.
Rajapaksa's style of play is reminiscent of Adam Gilchrist, and he has been compared to the Australian wicketkeeper-batsman for his fearless approach to batting. His dynamic stroke play and ability to hit big shots have made him an invaluable asset to the Sri Lankan team.
One of Rajapaksa's most remarkable achievements was his unbeaten 71 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final of 2022. He played a crucial role in helping Sri Lanka recover from a precarious position of 58/5, displaying excellent temperament in a pressure-filled situation. This knock showcased his skills as a finisher, demonstrating that he can perform well under high-pressure situations.
Rajapaksa has also inspired many young cricketers with his aggressive style of play and fearless approach to batting. His performances have shown that it is possible to succeed at the highest level while playing attacking cricket.
Throughout his career, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has received several awards and recognitions for his contributions to cricket. In 2010, he was Sri Lanka's leading run-scorer in the Under-19 World Cup, scoring 253 runs in six matches.
Rajapaksa won two prestigious awards in 2011 - 'Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year' and 'Young Emerging Player of the Under-19 Category' at the Sri Lanka Cricket Awards ceremony.
He has represented Sinhalese Sports Club in domestic cricket and played for Barisal Blazers in Bangladesh's National Cricket League T20.
In 2022, Rajapaksa was selected to play in the Indian Premier League for the Punjab Kings. He also made his debut in the Pakistan Super League with Peshawar Zalmi in February 2023.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa's contribution to Sri Lankan cricket has been significant in limited-overs cricket. He is known for his fearless approach to batting, dynamic strokeplay, and ability to hit big shots.
His aggressive style of play demonstrated that it is possible to succeed while playing attacking cricket. His unbeaten 71 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final of 2022 showcased his skills as a finisher and his temperament under pressure.
His performances have earned him several awards and recognitions throughout his career, including 'Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year' and 'Young Emerging Player of the Under-19 Category.
Overall, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been an exciting addition to Sri Lankan cricket and continues to inspire future generations.
FAQs
What is Bhanuka Rajapaksa's highest score in T20Is?
Bhanuka Rajapaksa's highest score in T20 Internationals is 77 runs.
What are some notable records held by Bhanuka Rajapaksa?
Bhanuka Rajapaksa holds the record for the second-highest individual score for Sri Lanka in U19 ODI cricket and also holds the record for the highest individual score while batting at No.5 or lower in a men's T20I knockout game in the 2022 Asia Cup.
When did Bhanuka Rajapaksa make his One Day International (ODI) debut?
He made his One Day International (ODI) debut on 18 July 2021, for Sri Lanka against India. In September 2021, Rajapaksa was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
What are Bhanuka Rajapaksa's batting statistics in T20 Internationals?
In T20 Internationals, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has played 37 matches and scored 678 runs at an average of 24.21.
How many times has Bhanuka Rajapaksa won the 'Schoolboy Cricketer of The Year award?
Bhanuka Rajapaksa has won the 'Schoolboy Cricketer of The Year award twice. Once in 2010 and another in 2011.
