Sadeera Samarawickrama

An exciting wicketkeeper-batsman from the land of Sri Lanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama knows both styles of batting. At the longest format, Samarawickrama plays like a copy-book old-school batter in the middle-order. When he bats against the white ball, he loves to provide his team quick and great starts. 

Having graduated from Colombo's St. Joseph's College, the wicketkeeper-batsman was part of Sri Lanka's Under-19 squad to the World Cup in 2014. He was one of the stars of the event as he scored 265 runs at an average of 44.17, and was touted to be his country’s future during the pinnacle tournament.

After the Youth World Cup, the Colombo-born made his List-A debut for Colts Cricket Club in the Premier Limited Over Tournament in late 2014. Soon he received the honours to play the Premier League Tournament in early 2015, while he got his T20 cap during the domestic tournament in Sri Lanka, that year. 

The keeper-batter topped the run-tally during the Premier League Tournament of 2016-17 when he piled a total of 1,016 from 10 matches. Later that season, he was named the best batsman in domestic cricket at SLC’s annual awards. By then, Samarawickrama had six First-Class centuries to his name, and an international debut was also not too far. 

In 2017, when Lahiru Thirimanne got a stiff back in the UAE, the youngster received his Test debut during the Day-Night match against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi. Later in that tour, the keeper made his ODI as well as T20I debut against the same opposition. He remained with the national team until the England series of 2018 as inconsistent performances led to his departure. 

Samarawickrama has made a couple of comebacks in the Sri Lanka limited-overs sides, with his latest outing against the touring Indians in the T20Is. However, the young batter’s numbers have also dropped significantly in domestic circles. He just needs a brilliant season and Samarawickerama has it all to be an all-format star.

(As of August 2021)