Charith Asalanka

Charith Asalanka is a top-order batsman and a part-time off-break bowler. He is a Sri Lankan professional and a Sinhalese Sports Club-based cricket player. Touted to be the flag-bearer for Lankan cricketers, Asalanka represented his national team’s U-19 event during the 2016 event. 

Born in Elpitiya, Asalanka studied and played cricket for Richmond College, however, his jersey started way long back. He toured England with Sri Lanka U-17 in 2013, he also captained the U-19 team during the series against Australia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, before getting picked for the 2016 U-19 World Cup, where he topped the run-tally for his country. He was also the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year for two back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016, becoming the seventh player to achieve the feat. 

Asalanka made his first-class debut for Galle Cricket Club in 2015 where he scored an inspiring century and made his List-A debut in the following season. However, he shifted to Sinhalese Sports Club to make his T20 debut during the SLC Twenty20 Tournament in 2018. As his career progressed, the Elpitiya-born became a vital player for his club team and was named the captain of the club during the domestic T20 tournament in 2021. 

He earned his maiden Test call-up during the England tour of 2018. He also captained his national team during the 2018 ACC Emerging Team Asia Cup and led them to the silver medal in the South Asian Cup of 2019. After being a consistent performer in the domestic circles, Asalanka was again awarded to tour with the national team to England, for the limited-overs series in 2021. The Sri Lankan would be willing to make his international debut and grab the opportunity with both hands. 

(As of June 2021)