Danushka Gunathilaka

Mashtayage Danushka Gunathilaka (born 17 March 1991), commonly as Danushka Gunathilaka is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer, who plays all formats of the game for Sri Lanka. He is an opening batsman of Sri Lanka who plays with partner Kusal Perera, but occasionally removed from the squad with the injuries. He is a left-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler who plays for Colombo. He was born in Panadura. He studied at Mahanama College, Colombo 03.
Early and domestic career.
Gunathilaka made his cricketing debut in the 2007–08 Inter-Provincial Twenty20 tournament for Sri Lanka Schools, alongside fellow Colts Cricket Club player Kusal Perera.
Gunathilaka made his List A debut for Colombo Cricket Club against Sinhalese Sports Club in 2009–10, scoring a single run. He also comes from Mahanama College school cricket.
In March 2018, he was named in Kandy's squad for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament. The following month, he was also named in Kandy's squad for the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.
In August 2018, he was named in Dambulla's squad the 2018 SLC T20 League. In March 2019, he was named in Dambulla's squad for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament. In October 2020, he was drafted by the Galle Gladiators for the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League.
International career.
He made his One Day International debut for Sri Lanka against the West Indies on 1 November 2015.
After Kusal Perera dropped from the 2015–16 New Zealand tour due to drug scandal, Gunathilaka was included to the ODI squad for opening position with Tillakaratne Dilshan. His batting ability did not show in the first two ODIs, but in the third ODI, which was his only 4th international match, Gunathilaka scored a fast and dashing 65 runs from 45 balls. The innings included 7 fours and 4 sixes and getting the match away from New Zealand. Sri Lanka won the match by 8 wickets and Gunathilaka adjudged man of the match for his performance.
During the same tour, he made his Twenty20 International debut for Sri Lanka against New Zealand on 7 January 2016.
Gunathilaka was not initially announced to the Sri Lanka squad for 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. But he was called for the squad for injured Chamara Kapugedera. He scored 77 runs against India, guiding the team to victory. Sri Lanka chased 321 at the end, recording the highest chase ever in Champions Trophy history.
Gunathilaka scored his maiden ODI century on 6 July 2017 against Zimbabwe at MRIC Stadium. He along with Niroshan Dickwella added 229-run partnership for the first wicket, where Dickwella also scored his maiden ODI century. Sri Lanka chased 310 to win the match, which is recorded as the first 300+ chase by Sri Lanka in home soil as well. Gunathilaka won man of the match award for his impressive batting performance.
In the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe, he and Niroshan Dickwella set the record for becoming the first pair of batsmen to score two successive 200-plus partnerships in ODIs. He missed out his consecutive century, dismissed for 87 runs, whereas his counterpart Dickwella scored his second consecutive century.
He made his Test debut for Sri Lanka against India on 26 July 2017. He only scored 18 runs in the match, and took the sole wicket of Abhinav Mukund. Sri Lanka finally lost the match by huge 304 runs.
In May 2018, he was one of 33 cricketers to be awarded a national contract by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) ahead of the 2018–19 season. However, in July 2018, SLC suspended him from all forms of international cricket, after he breached the code of conduct. Despite his disciplinary issues, he helped Sri Lanka to have a firm opening stand in the second test against South Africa, where Gunathilaka along with Dimuth Karunaratne put on a century partnership in the first innings and a 91-run partnership in the second innings. Gunathilaka scored two fifties in the match and Sri Lanka won the match by 199 runs to seal the series 2–0.
Gunathilaka scored his second ODI century during the second ODI against Pakistan in Karachi. He scored 133 off 134 deliveries to post a target of 197 for Pakistan. However, Pakistan won the match and sealed the series 2–0. During the first T20I, Gunathilaka scored his second T20I fifty. He along with Avishka Fernando had an opening partnership of 84 runs, which laid the foundation for 165 runs. Pakistan bowled out for 101 runs and Sri Lanka won the match by 64 runs, which is the highest winning margin against them in all T20Is. Gunathilaka won the man of the match award for his all round performance.
On 10 March 2021, in the first match against the West Indies, Gunathilaka became the first cricketer for Sri Lanka to be given out obstructing the field in ODIs. However, West Indies captain Kieron Pollard later apologised from Gunathilake after his error in the game. However, during the ODI series, he was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with the scores of 55, 96 and 36. Even though his impressive opening stand, Sri Lanka lost the series 3-0.
Disciplinary issues.
On 5 October 2017, Gunathilaka was suspended for six limited over international matches and also omitted from the Sri Lanka ODI squad for Pakistan in the UAE. This suspension was given by Sri Lanka Cricket due to his lack of participation for training sessions, participated to a match without his gear and showing indifferent attitude during training. However, the suspension was reduced to three matches on 17 October 2017 after a meeting of Sri Lanka Cricket's executive committee in Colombo.
On 22 July 2018, Gunathilaka was again suspended from international cricket by Sri Lanka Cricket for breaching the "Player Code of Conduct". His suspension came immediately after the end of second test against South Africa. Gunathilaka was fined with match fee.
On 27 July 2018, Gunathilaka was suspended for six international matches by considering it as a serious breach of curfew during the second Test against South Africa. He was also not be paid any match fees for the Test match. The first three matches of the six-match suspension are for his current breach of the code of conduct, whereas the other three matches about October 2017 incidence.
28 April 2021
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) censured Gunathilaka for his recent behaviour at an event at a hotel in the South of the island, with a three-member inquiry panel finding his conduct unprofessional and lacking integrity.
He has been directed to attend mandatory counselling sessions for a year.
SLC in a media release said, “…based on the findings and recommendations made by the panel, the Management Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket warned the player not to engage in any conduct which violates the standards of honesty, morality, fair play, and sportsmanship which result in bringing disrepute to Sri Lanka Cricket.”
“The three-member Inquiry Panel headed by an Independent Attorney-at-Law has found the players' conduct with regard to the alleged incident to be unprofessional and lacking the required level of integrity expected of a National Player.”
“The committee also directed Gunathilaka to attend mandatory counselling sessions conducted by a doctor nominated by Sri Lanka Cricket for a 01 year period,” the statement also read.