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Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 4, 2026 • 3 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth4 October 1993

BirthplacePanadura, Sri Lanka

ProfessionCricketer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseNethalie Tekshini

FamilyFather - Sunil Perera

Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer) Biography

Akila Dananjaya is a Sri Lankan international cricketer known for his variety of spin deliveries. Rising to prominence after selection for the 2012 World T

Early life and background

Mahamarakkala Kurukulasooriya Patabendige Akila Dananjaya Perera was born on 4 October 1993 in Panadura, Sri Lanka. He attended Mahanama Vidyalaya in Panadura and grew up in a middle-class family; his father, Sunil Perera, worked as a carpenter. Dananjaya is described as having black hair and black eyes and is listed at approximately 170 cm (5'7") tall and weighing about 65 kg.

Career

Dananjaya emerged as a wrist and finger spin bowling prospect who impressed senior players with a broad repertoire that included leg breaks, the carrom ball, doosra, googly and an offspinner. That variation helped secure his early international opportunities: he made his Twenty20 international debut for Sri Lanka on 27 September 2012 against New Zealand and was selected for the 2012 World Twenty20 on the recommendation of Mahela Jayawardene.

He made his One Day International debut on 12 November 2012 against New Zealand at Hambantota. A standout performance in his ODI career came on 24 August 2017 against India at Pallekele, when he claimed six wickets for 54 runs — a match in which he was also named man of the match and which produced one of Sri Lanka’s best individual bowling figures in a losing cause. In January 2018 he was picked up by the Mumbai Indians for the Indian Premier League.

Dananjaya made his Test debut on 8 February 2018 versus Bangladesh in Dhaka. In that match he took eight wickets for 44 runs across the contest, setting notable figures for a player on Test debut.

Domestically and in franchise cricket he has represented sides including Wayamba United and Chennai Super Kings. He has worn the number 10 jersey for Sri Lanka.

Controversies and setbacks

In December 2018 the International Cricket Council found Dananjaya’s bowling action to be illegal and he was suspended from bowling in international cricket on 10 December 2018. That ruling represented a significant interruption to his international career and required corrective work before he could return to bowling at the top level.

Public profile

Dananjaya has been coached by figures including Graham Ford. He has spoken Tamil knowledgeably and lists Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis among his favourite cricketers. Off the field he enjoys swimming and driving. Personal details recorded publicly note that he is married to Nethalie Tekshini; the marriage took place on 22 August 2017.

Style and records

Dananjaya’s cricketing identity is built on variation and control rather than express pace. He showed his potential early in domestic T20 competitions, such as an appearance for Wayamba United where he took three wickets for 18 runs in a Sri Lanka Premier League match. His notable international records include the six-wicket ODI haul against India and the eight wickets across his Test debut against Bangladesh.

Latest updates

Following his selection by Mumbai Indians for the 2018 IPL and his Test debut in February 2018, Dananjaya’s career encountered the bowling suspension issued by the ICC in December 2018. Public listings from that period also record a salary figure associated with the IPL XI season, and that he owns a Toyota among his personal possessions.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

Test debut vs Bangladesh

Made Test debut and took eight wickets for 44 runs (8/44) in the match

2018
Man of the Match vs India (ODI)

Took 6 wickets for 54 runs in an ODI at Pallekele

2017
Selected by Mumbai Indians (IPL)

Acquired by Mumbai Indians for the 2018 Indian Premier League

2018
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Career Highlights

  1. Selected for the 2012 World Twenty20 on Mahela Jayawardene’s recommendation
  2. Took 6/54 in an ODI versus India at Pallekele and won Man of the Match (2017)
  3. Took 8 wickets on Test debut versus Bangladesh (2018)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer) born?

Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer) was born on 4 October 1993.

What is Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer) known for?

Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer) is known for cricketer.

What is Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer)’s marital status?

Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer)'s marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer) married to?

Akila Dananjaya (Cricketer) is publicly listed as married to Nethalie Tekshini.