| Akila Dananjaya Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 7 in |
| Weight | 68 kg |
| Date of Birth | October 4, 1993 |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Spouse | Nethalie Tekshini |
Akila Dananjaya is a Sri Lankan professional cricketer who has represented his country in all 3 formats of the sport (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is), as a spin bowler. A teen prodigy, he had made his international debut at the 2012 ICC World T20, at the age of just 18. He had to, however, wait another 5 years after this to get recalled into the international team. His 2nd stint was marred by repeated suspensions from bowling though, due to doubts about the legality of his bowling action, a side-effect of the claim that he possesses the ability to bowl at least 7 different variations of spin including the leg-break, googly, carrom ball, doosra, and his stock off-spinner.
Born Name
Mahamarakkala Kurukulasooriya Patabendige Akila Dananjaya Perera
Nick Name
Akila
Sun Sign
Libra
Born Place
Panadura, Kalutara District, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Residence
Panadura, Kalutara District, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Nationality
Education
Akila had attended the Moratuwa Maha Vidyalaya, a government school in Moratuwa, and the Mahanama Navodya Vidyalaya in his hometown of Panadura.
Occupation
Professional Cricketer
Family
- Father – Sunil Perera (Carpenter)
Batting
Left-Handed
Bowling
Right-Arm Offbreak, Legbreak
Role
Bowler
Jersey Number
4 – Test Match, One Day International (ODI), T20 International (T20I)
Build
Athletic
Height
5 ft 7 in or 170 cm
Weight
68 kg or 150 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Akila has dated –
- Nethalie Tekshini (2017–Present) – Akila got married to his longtime partner Nethalie Tekshini on August 22, 2017. They have a son together named Akeesha Nethsilu Perera (b. 2018).
Race / Ethnicity
Asian
He is of Sri Lankan descent.
Hair Color
Black
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Toned physique
- Affable smile
- Side-parted, wavy hair
- Sports a thin beard
Akila Dananjaya Facts
- In August 2017, Akila had recorded his maiden 5-wicket haul in ODIs, in a match against India. He had scalped those wickets in the space of just 13 deliveries, which was the best for a Sri Lankan in ODIs.
- In December 2018, he was suspended from bowling in international matches after his action was deemed to be illegal. After remodeling his action, he was cleared to play again in March 2019. In September 2019, he was banned from bowling in international matches once again. He was cleared in January 2021.
- In a March 2021 T20I match against the West Indies, in his international comeback, he had experienced possibly the greatest bittersweet moment in the history of the sport. In the 2nd over of his spell, he had taken just the 14th hat-trick (the feat of dismissing 3 batsmen in 3 successive deliveries) in the history of T20Is. It was his first hat-trick at the international level, the first time that a bowler had taken a hat-trick against the West Indies in a T20I match, and just the 3rd occasion where a Sri Lankan bowler had taken a hat-trick in a T20I match.
- However, the joy was short-lived as Kieron Pollard, the captain of the West Indies smashed him for 6 sixes in his very next over. This achievement was even rarer than the hat-trick as this was just the 2nd time that this had happened in a T20I match and only the 3rd time in any international match. To make matters worse, Akila had recorded figures of 3/62, the 3rd-worst bowling figures recorded in a T20I match.
Featured Image by Akila Dananjaya / Instagram
