When you think of Sri Lankan cricket, you might instantly picture legends like Lasith Malinga or Kumar Sangakkara. But there’s another name that deserves some spotlight — Isuru Udana. Known for his crafty left-arm pace and surprising batting cameos, Udana has quietly made a big impact in the shorter formats of the game.
Let’s take a deep dive into his life, career, and stats — and discover what makes this bowling all-rounder such a fascinating figure in modern cricket.
Isuru Udana: Quick Personal Overview
Personal Information | Details |
---|---|
Name | Isuru Udana |
Date of Birth | February 17, 1988 (37 years old) |
Birth Place | Balangoda, Sri Lanka |
Role | Bowling Allrounder |
Batting Style | Right-Handed Bat |
Bowling Style | Left-Arm Fast-Medium |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Udana’s versatility has always been his strength. He’s one of those players who can bowl fiery opening overs, come back at the death, and even smash a few sixes down the order when his team needs quick runs.
A Glance at Isuru Udana’s Batting Career Stats
Even though Udana is primarily known for his bowling, he’s had some memorable moments with the bat too. Let’s break it down by format.
Test Cricket
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Matches: 0
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Runs: 0
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Average: –
Udana never got the chance to represent Sri Lanka in Test cricket, focusing his skills instead on limited-overs formats where his style was a perfect fit.
ODI Career
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Matches: 21
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Innings: 18
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Runs: 237
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Highest Score: 78
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Average: 16.93
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Strike Rate: 95.19
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Fours: 17
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Sixes: 10
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Fifties: 1
His most memorable ODI innings came against South Africa in 2019, when he stunned everyone with a breathtaking 78 off just 57 balls, turning a hopeless situation into an entertaining contest.
T20I Career
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Matches: 35
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Innings: 25
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Runs: 256
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Highest Score: 84
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Average: 18.29
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Strike Rate: 137.64
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Fours: 16
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Sixes: 14
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Fifties: 1
In T20Is, Udana truly shines. He’s that type of cricketer who can change the momentum of a game in just a few balls. His quickfire 84 runs against South Africa in 2019 is still remembered as one of the best lower-order knocks in recent T20 history.
IPL Career
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Matches: 10
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Innings: 4
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Runs: 15
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Highest Score: 10
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Average: 5
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Strike Rate: 136.37
Though his IPL stint was short, Udana’s aggressive mindset and left-arm pace gave Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) an extra edge during the 2020 season.
Isuru Udana’s Bowling Career Stats
If you’ve ever watched Udana bowl, you know how deceptive his slower balls can be. His control, variations, and ability to perform under pressure have made him a go-to option in limited-overs cricket.
Test Cricket
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Matches: 0
-
Wickets: 0
-
Average: –
Like his batting, Udana never featured in Test bowling records.
ODI Bowling Stats
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Matches: 21
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Innings: 21
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Balls Bowled: 909
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Runs Conceded: 950
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Wickets: 18
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Average: 52.78
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Economy Rate: 6.27
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Best Bowling: 3/82
While his numbers might not look extraordinary, Udana’s value in ODIs came from his knack for breaking partnerships at key moments — often with cleverly disguised slower deliveries.
T20I Bowling Stats
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Matches: 35
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Innings: 32
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Balls Bowled: 631
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Runs Conceded: 915
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Wickets: 27
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Average: 33.89
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Economy Rate: 8.7
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Best Bowling: 3/11
In T20Is, Udana has been a dependable bowler for Sri Lanka. His ability to bowl in the powerplay and at the death made him a consistent presence in the squad. His 3/11 against Pakistan remains one of his standout performances.
IPL Bowling Stats
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Matches: 10
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Balls Bowled: 174
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Runs Conceded: 282
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Wickets: 8
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Average: 35.25
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Economy: 9.72
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Best Figures: 2/41
Despite limited opportunities in the IPL, Udana impressed with his courage to bowl during pressure overs — something not every bowler dares to do on Indian pitches.
Isuru Udana’s Career Milestones
Format | Debut Match | Opponent | Venue | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
T20I Debut | June 08, 2009 | vs Australia | Trent Bridge | 2009 |
ODI Debut | July 24, 2012 | vs India | Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium | 2012 |
IPL Debut | September 28, 2020 | vs Mumbai Indians | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 2020 |
Last T20I | July 28, 2021 | vs India | R. Premadasa Stadium | 2021 |
Last ODI | July 18, 2021 | vs India | R. Premadasa Stadium | 2021 |
Last IPL | November 02, 2020 | vs Delhi Capitals | Sheikh Zayed Stadium | 2020 |
Isuru Udana’s Journey: More Than Just Numbers
Udana’s journey isn’t defined by his stats alone. It’s about resilience and reinvention. Despite facing injuries and inconsistent form, he’s managed to stay relevant in international cricket for more than a decade — a rare feat in the fast-changing world of T20s.
His leadership skills also came to the forefront when he captained Colombo Kings in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), showing great maturity and tactical awareness.
Also Read : Will Pucovski Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
What Makes Udana Unique?
Here are a few things that set him apart:
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Left-Arm X-Factor: Left-arm pacers are rare, and Udana’s variations often trouble right-handers.
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Deceptive Slower Balls: His slower deliveries are almost unpickable — perfect for T20 cricket.
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Lower-Order Power Hitter: He’s capable of turning games around with the bat.
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Big-Match Temperament: Udana often performs best under pressure.
Legacy and Future
Even though Udana retired from international cricket in 2021, his contribution to Sri Lankan cricket remains significant. He helped bridge the gap between generations — carrying forward the team’s fighting spirit after the era of Mahela Jayawardene and Sangakkara.
Today, Udana continues to play in domestic leagues and serve as a mentor for young Sri Lankan bowlers learning the art of variation and control.
Final Thoughts
Isuru Udana might not have the glittering numbers of a superstar, but cricket isn’t always about stats. It’s about heart, adaptability, and moments that make fans remember you. And that’s where Udana truly shines.
From his all-round heroics in international matches to his fighting spirit in franchise cricket, Udana’s story reminds us that every team needs a player who can quietly hold things together — and sometimes, make magic happen when least expected.