Thisara Perera

Thisara Perera is a Sri Lankan cricketer who has made a name for himself as a hard-hitting all-rounder. He was born on April 3, 1989, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Perera is known for his explosive batting, sharp fielding, and effective bowling, making him a valuable asset to any team he plays for.

Perera started playing cricket at a young age and was soon noticed for his talent. He made his debut for the Sri Lankan under-19 team in 2006 and played a crucial role in their success in the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup. He was also named the best all-rounder of the tournament. His performances in the tournament earned him a spot in the Sri Lankan A team and he made his first-class debut for them later that year.

Perera made his international debut for Sri Lanka in a T20I against India in 2009. He didn't have much of an impact in that game, but he continued to impress in domestic cricket. His performances in the 2010 Sri Lanka Premier League earned him a spot in the national team for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20. He played a crucial role in Sri Lanka's campaign, especially in the final where he scored 22 off just 9 balls and took 3 wickets to help Sri Lanka win the tournament.

Perera continued to be a regular member of the Sri Lankan team in the limited-overs formats, but he struggled to cement his place in the Test side. However, he made his mark in ODIs and T20Is and was particularly effective in the death overs with his variations in pace and length. He also proved to be a valuable lower-order batsman and was often sent into bat when quick runs were needed.

Perera's biggest moment in international cricket came in 2018 when he smashed a match-winning 47 off just 19 balls in the Nidahas Trophy final against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka was struggling at 41-5 when Perera walked into bat, but he played an innings that will be remembered for a long time. He hit four fours and three sixes, including a towering six off the last ball to win the game for Sri Lanka.

Apart from his exploits in international cricket, Perera has also been a valuable player in franchise cricket around the world. He has played for various teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He has also played in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Perera's career hasn't been without its share of ups and downs. He has had to battle injuries and form slumps at various points in his career. However, he has always come back stronger and has continued to be a valuable player for Sri Lanka. His contributions to the team have been acknowledged by his teammates and fans alike.

Off the field, Perera is known to be a humble and down-to-earth person. He is deeply religious and often turns to prayer to help him cope with the pressures of professional cricket. He is also a family man and is familiar to be very near to his parents and siblings.

Thisara Perera, the hard-hitting all-rounder from Sri Lanka, has had a distinguished career in international cricket spanning over a decade. In addition to his explosive batting, sharp fielding, and effective bowling, Perera also led Sri Lanka in a few matches during his career. He retired from international cricket in May 2021, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered by Sri Lankan cricket fans for years to come.

Captaincy:

Perera was appointed as the captain of the Sri Lankan T20I team in 2019, taking over from Lasith Malinga. He led the team in a few matches, but his tenure was short-lived due to Sri Lanka's inconsistent performances. Perera's captaincy was not without controversy, as he was criticized for his team selection and strategy in some matches. However, he remained a respected figure in the Sri Lankan cricket fraternity, and his leadership skills were acknowledged by his teammates and coaches.

ODI Career:

Perera made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka in 2010 and went on to play 166 matches in the format. He scored 2338 runs at an average of 21.39, with a highest score of 140. His ODI career was characterized by his explosive lower-order batting, where he often played match-winning innings for Sri Lanka. He scored seven half-centuries in the format, with his highest score coming against New Zealand in 2015. Perera also picked up 175 wickets in ODI cricket, with an economy rate of 5.81. His best bowling figures of 6/44 came against Pakistan in 2013.

T20 International Career:

Perera was a regular member of Sri Lanka's T20I team, playing 84 matches in the format. He scored 1206 runs at an average of 21.09, with a highest score of 58. Perera's power-hitting abilities were on full display in T20 cricket, where he hit 71 sixes in his career. He also picked up 51 wickets in the format, with an economy rate of 8.47. Perera's best bowling figures of 4/33 came against India in 2016.

Sri Lankan Domestic Career:

Perera had a successful domestic career in Sri Lanka, playing for various teams in domestic competitions. He played for Wayamba United in the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) and was part of the team that won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2012. He also played for the Basnahira Cricket Dundee and Ruhuna Royals in the SLPL. Perera was a regular member of the Nondescripts Cricket Club in the domestic first-class tournament, where he scored 3007 runs and picked up 191 wickets in 83 matches.

Retirement:

Perera announced his retirement from international cricket in May 2021, citing personal reasons. His decision to retire came as a shock to Sri Lankan cricket fans, who were hoping to see him play in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Perera's retirement was met with an outpouring of support and appreciation from his fans and teammates, who thanked him for his contributions to Sri Lankan cricket.

Thisara Perera's career in international cricket was marked by his dynamic all-round skills and his ability to deliver match-winning performances in all formats of the game. He was a valuable asset to Sri Lanka's cricket team and will be remembered as one of the country's finest all-rounders.

Perera's explosive batting, sharp fielding, and effective bowling made him a force to be reckoned with in limited-overs cricket. He played crucial roles in Sri Lanka's victories in various tournaments and was often the difference-maker in close matches. His leadership skills were also acknowledged, as he led the Sri Lankan T20I team in a few matches.

Perera's success was not limited to the international stage, as he also had a successful domestic career in Sri Lanka. He played for various teams in the Sri Lanka Premier League and was a regular member of the Nondescripts Cricket Club in the domestic first-class tournament.

Despite retiring from international cricket in 2021, Thisara Perera's legacy will continue to inspire young cricketers in Sri Lanka and around the world. His contributions to Sri Lankan cricket will always be remembered, and he will forever be a hero to the fans who watched him play.