Dunith Wellalage Biography: Birthday, Career, Stats and Records

Dunith Wellalage is a Sri Lankan all‑rounder who represents the national side in limited‑overs cricket.

Dunith Nethmika Wellalage was born on 9 January 2003 in Colombo and was educated at St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa and St. Joseph's College, Colombo 10. A right‑hand batsman and effective bowler, he progressed through school cricket to the national age‑group set‑up, captaining Sri Lanka at the 2022 ICC Under‑19 World Cup. He made his senior international debut in June 2022, first appearing in an ODI against Australia before adding a Test debut in July 2022 and a T20I debut in October 2024.

Across all formats Wellalage has featured in 1 Test, 38 ODIs and 18 T20Is. He has scored 29 Test runs, 467 ODI runs – including a highest score of 67 not out – and 175 T20I runs. As a bowler he has taken 45 ODI wickets at an average of 34.22, with best figures of 5/27, and 20 T20I wickets at 25.40, highlighted by a 3/9 spell. His fielding record includes 27 catches in international cricket.

Dunith Wellalage: quick facts

Born: 9 January 2003, Colombo
Team: Sri Lanka

Dunith Wellalage career statistics

Batting

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest	Average	Strike rate	50s
Tests	1	2	29	18	14.50	61.70	0
ODIs	38	31	467	67*	17.96	84.91	1
T20Is	18	14	175	43	19.44	116.67	0

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best	Average	Economy
Tests	1	0	–	–	2.69
ODIs	38	45	5/27	34.22	5.26
T20Is	18	20	3/9	25.40	7.76

Figures as of 11 November 2026. Figures from Cricsheet (cricsheet.org), Open Data Commons Attribution licence.

Dunith Wellalage’s early life

Born in Colombo, Wellalage displayed a talent for cricket early, representing his schools in inter‑school tournaments. His schooling at St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa and later at St. Joseph's College, Colombo 10, provided a platform for his development as a batting and bowling all‑rounder, earning selection for provincial age‑group sides before moving onto the national Under‑19 programme.

In January 2022 he was appointed captain of Sri Lanka's Under‑19 World Cup squad. Under his leadership he became the first Sri Lankan U‑19 captain to score a century in the tournament, posting 113 runs in a semi‑final against South Africa. He finished the event as the leading wicket‑taker with seventeen dismissals, showcasing his dual skill set on the world stage.

Dunith Wellalage’s domestic career

Wellalage made his List A debut on 14 December 2019 for Lankan Cricket Club in the 2019–20 Invitation Limited Over Tournament. His performances in domestic one‑day cricket earned him a place in the emerging‑players circuit and attracted the attention of franchise teams in the region.

In July 2022 he was signed by the Jaffna Kings for the third edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL). He later joined Fortune Barishal for the tenth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League and returned to the Jaffna Kings in May 2026 as the "Local Star Player" for LPL season six. His LPL outings in 2023, notably for Colombo Strikers against Jaffna Kings, were highlighted by match‑winning spells that drew media praise.

Dunith Wellalage’s international career

Wellalage entered senior international cricket with an ODI debut on 14 June 2022 against Australia at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. He made his Test debut a month later on 24 July 2022 versus Pakistan at Galle International Stadium, and his T20I debut on 15 October 2024 against West Indies at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. To date he has played 1 Test, 38 ODIs and 18 T20Is, scoring 29, 467 and 175 runs respectively, while claiming 45 ODI wickets and 20 T20I wickets. His ODI strike‑rate stands at 84.91 and his T20I strike‑rate at 116.67, reflecting his attacking intent in limited‑overs cricket.

His most notable innings include a 67 not out against India at R. Premadasa Stadium on 2 August 2024 and a 43 against West Indies at Sabina Park on 14 June 2026. Bowling highlights feature a five‑wicket haul of 5/27 against India on 7 August 2024 and a 3/9 spell versus West Indies on his T20I debut. In the most recent international window (October 2026) he added 5 runs in a single T20I and contributed 12 runs and 4 wickets across four ODIs, with best figures of 2/56.

Dunith Wellalage’s franchise and league career

Wellalage's LPL impact was evident in August 2023 when he starred for Colombo Strikers against Jaffna Kings, earning headlines that described him as the "main pillar" behind the victory. A week later, his spell for Galle Titans against Jaffna Kings was credited with an eight‑wicket win, underscoring his reputation as a match‑winner in the league.

His franchise résumé expanded with a stint for Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League, and a renewed contract with the Jaffna Kings in May 2026 as the designated Local Star Player for LPL season six. These assignments have allowed him to hone his skills in varied conditions while contributing both with bat and ball for his teams.

Dunith Wellalage’s playing style

As a batsman, Wellalage favours a forward‑moving approach, often targeting the off‑side and employing a range of cuts and drives. His ODI average of 17.96 and a strike‑rate of 84.91 indicate a willingness to accelerate, while his T20I average of 19.44 and strike‑rate of 116.67 show greater aggression in the shortest format. He frequently contributes useful lower‑order runs, highlighted by his unbeaten 67 against India and a quick‑fire 43 against West Indies.

With the ball, Wellalage delivers medium‑pace seamers capable of extracting movement and maintaining disciplined lines. In ODIs he has taken 45 wickets at an average of 34.22 and an economy of 5.26, with best figures of 5/27. His T20I economy of 7.76 and best spell of 3/9 demonstrate his ability to contain runs while taking wickets, making him a valuable all‑round option in limited‑overs cricket.

Dunith Wellalage’s records and achievements

Wellalage's Under‑19 World Cup captaincy produced a historic century and the tournament's leading wicket‑taker tally of seventeen dismissals. At senior level, he recorded his maiden ODI half‑century – 67 not out – against India on 2 August 2024, earning player‑of‑the‑match honours. Later that series he claimed a five‑wicket haul (5/27) that helped Sri Lanka secure a historic series win over India, the first bilateral ODI series victory against the side in 27 years, and he was named player of the series for 108 runs and seven wickets.

His best bowling performances also include 5/40 against India on 12 September 2023 and 4/35 against Australia on 14 February 2025. In T20Is his debut spell of 3/9 against West Indies remains his top figure. Across formats he has taken 27 international catches, underscoring his contribution in the field.

Dunith Wellalage’s personal life

Wellalage's father, Suranga Wellalage, a former cricketer and coach, passed away on 18 September 2025 during the Asia Cup. Dunith returned to Sri Lanka for the funeral before rejoining the squad in the United Arab Emirates to continue the tournament.

Beyond cricket, Wellalage's education at St. Sebastian's College and St. Joseph's College provided a strong academic foundation. He remains close to his family in Colombo and continues to honour his father's legacy through his performances on the field.

Dunith Wellalage: frequently asked questions

When was Dunith Wellalage born?

Dunith Wellalage was born on 9 January 2003 in Colombo.

Where is Dunith Wellalage from?

Dunith Wellalage was born in Colombo.

Which teams has Dunith Wellalage played for?

Dunith Wellalage plays international cricket for Sri Lanka.

When did Dunith Wellalage make an international debut?

Dunith Wellalage made a Test debut against Pakistan at Galle International Stadium on 24 July 2022. Dunith Wellalage made an ODI debut against Australia at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 14 June 2022. Dunith Wellalage made a T20I debut against West Indies at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on 15 October 2024.