Kasun Rajitha

Chandrasekara Arachchilage Kasun Rajitha, a right-hand medium-fast bowler from Sinhala, plays all forms of international cricket for Sri Lankan national team. A fiery quickie from an Island where fast bowlers were never in abundance, he was an immensely talented pacer who could get seam movement at a sharp pace, and from a high release point.

He made his List A Debut on Dec 5, 2014, playing for Badureliya Sports Club against Sri Lanka Army Sports Club at Maggona. Later in August 2015, he represented the Sri Lankan Board President’s XI against Indian National Cricket Team. The Matara-born rose to fame after picking a fifer against the touring Indians which included the ever-reliable top-order of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli.

Following his success in the domestic T20 league taking 10 wickets in 6 matches for Kandy in the Super T20 Provincial Tournament, he made his Twenty20 International debut against India on 9 February 2016, taking two top-order wickets and dismissing India on 101. His bowling figures of 3/29 won him the man of the match in his first T20I game. 

With his tall stature and high-arm bowling action, he was able to clock 140 kmph quite often but the lack of accuracy proved to be a nightmare for the young fast bowler who was being dropped more often than not. 

Despite the shortcomings in his skillset, he bounced back even stronger in the Super Four Provincial Tournament in 2017-18. He was the leading wicket-taker with ten dismissals in two matches. 

After a breathtaking domestic season, he made a comeback to Sri Lanka’s Test squad against the West Indies. The seamer made his debut against Maroon Caps itself on 14 June 2018. 

The same year, he was named in Sri Lanka’s ODI squad against South Africa. Eventually, he made his ODI debut against South Africa on 1 August 2019, and picked the prized scalp of Quinton De Cock as his maiden wicket

In June 2019, he was added to Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup for the last two matches, replacing Nuwan Pradeep who contracted Chicken Pox.

The pacer is also remembered for his most expensive spell in a T20I game against Australia conceding 75 runs in his 4 overs.

However, with his speed, agility, and skillset, he offers Sri Lanka a utility that is intimidating.

(As of March 2021)