Sum up of performances by Sri Lankan players at IPL 2025
The standout performers
Eshan Malinga emerged as the undisputed star among Sri Lankan participants, delivering a spectacular debut season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. His remarkable statistics tell the story of a bowler who seized every opportunity with both hands. Claiming 13 wickets in just seven matches, Malinga achieved an exceptional bowling average of 18.30, positioning himself among the tournament’s most effective bowlers. His best figures of 3/31, combined with an economy rate of 8.92, demonstrated his ability to take wickets while maintaining reasonable control—a rare combination that makes him invaluable in T20 cricket. Malinga’s performance not only justified his selection but also established him as a promising prospect for future IPL campaigns.
- M: 07| Wkts: 13 | Ave: 18.30 | Econ 8.92 | BBI: 3/31 | Runs: 0
Eshan Malinga
Kamindu Mendis provided another bright spot for Sri Lankan cricket with his versatile contributions to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite playing only five matches, Mendis showcased the kind of all-round abilities that modern T20 cricket demands. His batting yielded 92 runs at an average of 30.67 with an impressive strike rate of 133.33, while his unbeaten 32 highlighted his composure under pressure. As a bowling option, he maintained tight control with an economy rate of 8.57, picking up crucial wickets when needed. Perhaps most memorably, his spectacular catch to dismiss Dewald Brevis of Chennai Super Kings earned him the Best Catch of the Season award, demonstrating his electrifying fielding skills. Though limited by opportunities, Mendis proved himself as an ideal T20 player with his multi-dimensional skill set.
- M: 05 | Runs: 92 | Ave: 30.67 | SR: 133.33 |HS: 32n.o. | Wkts: 2 | BBI: 1/4
The strugglers
The tournament’s most disappointing performance came from Kusal Mendis of Gujarat Titans, whose IPL debut became a nightmare he would rather forget. Replacing Jos Buttler for the playoffs, the wicket-keeper’s solitary appearance was marred by crucial errors that cost his team dearly. Despite showing aggressive intent with his batting—scoring 20 runs from 10 deliveries at a blistering strike rate of 200.00—his fielding lapses overshadowed any positive contributions. Dropping two catches off Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav proved costly, while his embarrassing dismissal hit-wicket against Mitchell Santner added insult to injury. This performance highlighted the pressure that comes with IPL cricket, where single moments can define careers.
- M: 01 Runs: 20 | Ave: 20.00 | SR: 200.00 | HS: 20
Wanindu Hasaranga experienced a frustrating campaign with Rajasthan Royals despite his INR 5.25 crore price tag creating high expectations. The experienced leg-spinner’s 11 wickets across all matches, including a standout 4/35 performance, showed his wicket-taking ability with a strike rate of 22.36. However, his batting was catastrophic, managing only nine runs at an embarrassing average of 1.80. His economy rate of 9.04 suggested occasional waywardness, making him a one-dimensional player in a format that increasingly values versatility.
- M: 11 | Wkts: 11 | Ave: 33.72 | Econ 9.04 | BBI: 4/35 | Runs 9
Maheesh Theekshana operated as Rajasthan Royals’ mystery spin specialist, providing decent contributions without spectacular breakthroughs. His 11 wickets from 11 matches at an average of 37.27 represented consistent performance, though his economy rate of 9.76 indicated occasional run-leaking tendencies. While rarely dominating innings, Theekshana provided the control and variety that teams seek from specialist spinners.
- M: 11 | Wkts: 11 | Ave: 37.27 | Econ 9.76 | BBI: 2/26 | Runs: 10
Dushmantha Chameera’s stint with Delhi Capitals highlighted the challenges fast bowlers face when adapting to Indian conditions. His four wickets from six matches came at an expensive average of 42.75, while his economy rate of 11.40 made him a liability during crucial phases. Despite possessing genuine pace and yorker skills, Chameera struggled to find appropriate lengths for T20 cricket, often becoming predictable for aggressive batsmen.
- M: 6 | Wkts: 04 | Ave: 42.75 | Econ 11.40 | BBI: 1/24 | Runs: 10
Matheesha Pathirana endured his worst IPL season with Chennai Super Kings, setting unwanted records in the process. The right-arm pacer claimed 13 wickets across 12 matches but conceded runs at 10.13—the worst economy rate by a CSK bowler playing 10-plus games in a single edition. His 32 wides broke his own dubious record, contributing to CSK’s disappointing last-place finish.
- M: 12 | Wkts: 13 | Ave: 32.61 | Econ 10.13 | BBI: 3/36 | Runs: 0
The unused assets
Several Sri Lankan players found themselves on the periphery despite their reputations. Charith Asalanka, the white-ball captain, joined Mumbai Indians during playoffs but couldn’t break into their playing XI. Similarly, Dasun Shanaka, the former national skipper with Gujarat Titans, and Nuwan Thushara with Royal Challengers Bangalore (limited to one match) remained largely unused, reflecting either squad depth or tactical preferences by their franchises.