When you think about modern Sri Lankan cricket, names like Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, and Wanindu Hasaranga may come to mind. But quietly and consistently, Dhananjaya de Silva has carved out a space for himself as one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable allrounders. With a steady batting technique, useful off-spin, and nerves of steel in crunch moments, de Silva is the kind of player every team loves to have.
Born in Colombo on September 6, 1991, this right-handed batter and right-arm off-break bowler has grown into a seasoned campaigner for the national side. At 33, he’s already played across formats and proven that he can adapt whether it’s the calm of Test cricket, the rhythm of ODIs, or the hustle of T20s.
In this deep dive, let’s explore his journey, stats, and impact on Sri Lankan cricket.
Quick Profile: Who is Dhananjaya de Silva?
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dhananjaya Maduranga de Silva |
| Born | September 6, 1991, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Age | 33 years (as of 2025) |
| Height | 1.73 m |
| Role | Allrounder |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm offbreak |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
Early Days and Debut Story
Dhananjaya wasn’t an overnight success. Like many Sri Lankan cricketers, he built his career brick by brick through domestic cricket. His performances in local leagues caught the attention of selectors, and by 2015, he was ready for the big stage.
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T20I Debut: July 30, 2015, vs Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
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ODI Debut: June 16, 2016, vs Ireland at The Village, Dublin
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Test Debut: July 26, 2016, vs Australia at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
His Test debut was particularly memorable, as Sri Lanka defeated Australia in Pallekele, and Dhananjaya showed glimpses of his ability to handle pressure.
Batting Career: Calm Under Pressure
Dhananjaya de Silva is often described as a batsman who thrives when his team is in trouble. He’s not just about flashy strokes; instead, he brings composure and balance to the crease.
Test Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 64 | 114 | 4,126 | 173 | 38.56 | 58.29 | 12/19 |
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Over 4,000 Test runs at a healthy average shows his consistency.
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His highest score of 173 demonstrates his ability to play long innings.
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With 12 centuries and 19 fifties, he’s been a backbone in Sri Lanka’s middle order.
ODI Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 90 | 82 | 1,865 | 93 | 25.9 | 78.6 | 0/10 |
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In ODIs, his numbers don’t sparkle as much, but his role often involves stabilizing innings in tough conditions.
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His highest score of 93 shows he’s come close to a century on multiple occasions.
T20I Batting Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 45 | 44 | 847 | 66 | 21.18 | 115.87 | 0/3 |
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In T20Is, his strike rate of 115.87 makes him a handy middle-order option.
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He has chipped in with three fifties, often steadying innings when early wickets fall.
Bowling Career: A Useful Off-Spinner
Though primarily known for his batting, de Silva’s off-spin bowling adds real value, especially in Test cricket where Sri Lanka relies heavily on spin-friendly conditions.
Test Bowling Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 64 | 40 | 3/25 | 56.83 | 3.33 | 102.38 |
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His best bowling in a match is 5/51, showing he can be a partnership-breaker.
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Economy rate of 3.33 is solid for someone who often bowls long spells.
ODI Bowling Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 90 | 44 | 3/32 | 43.34 | 5.09 | 51.14 |
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With 44 wickets in ODIs, he’s often used as a fifth or sixth bowling option.
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His ability to keep things tight makes him valuable in middle overs.
T20I Bowling Stats
| Format | Matches | Wickets | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 45 | 16 | 2/22 | 20.44 | 6.86 | 17.88 |
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In T20Is, his economy rate under 7 runs per over is impressive.
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Handy option to break partnerships or slow the scoring rate.
Career Highlights
Some of de Silva’s most memorable contributions include:
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Test Series vs Australia (2016): Played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s historic series win.
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Knocks Under Pressure: Several of his centuries have come when Sri Lanka was in trouble, proving his temperament.
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Allround Contributions: His ability to chip in with the ball and score gritty runs makes him one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable assets.
Recent Matches
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Last Test: vs Bangladesh, June 17, 2025, at Galle International Stadium
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Last ODI: vs New Zealand, November 9, 2023, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
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Last T20I: vs Netherlands, June 16, 2024, at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium
These recent appearances show he remains a vital part of Sri Lanka’s Test and T20 setup while being rotated in ODIs.
Also Read : Wahab Riaz Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
What Makes Dhananjaya de Silva Special?
So, why do fans and selectors continue to back him?
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Temperament: Calm and collected, especially when batting under pressure.
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Versatility: Can play across all formats and contribute with both bat and ball.
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Team Player: Often puts the team’s needs above personal milestones.
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Leadership Qualities: Seen as someone with a cool head, capable of guiding younger players.
In many ways, he’s the glue that holds Sri Lanka’s middle order together.
Looking Ahead
At 33, Dhananjaya de Silva still has plenty of cricket left. With his experience and allround skills, he’s expected to play a big role in helping Sri Lanka transition into its next generation of stars. His adaptability means he could be just as effective in future World Cups and Test series as he has been in the past.
If he continues on this path, de Silva could finish his career as one of Sri Lanka’s most respected modern allrounders—someone remembered not just for numbers, but for the way he stepped up when his team needed him most.
Final Thoughts
Dhananjaya de Silva’s career is proof that cricket isn’t just about flashy hundreds or five-wicket hauls. Sometimes, it’s about grit, determination, and reliability. He may not always grab headlines, but his steady presence has been invaluable for Sri Lanka.
From Tests to T20s, with bat and ball, de Silva embodies the spirit of a true allrounder. And as Sri Lanka continues to rebuild and aim for glory on the global stage, players like him will be the pillars of that journey.
