When SL Debutant Chamindu Wickramasinghe Credited India's Pace Academy

Chamindu Wickramasinghe had an impressive Sri Lanka debut against India (AP)Chamindu Wickramasinghe had an impressive Sri Lanka debut against India (AP)

Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe shot himself to unprecedented fame in the recently-concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 season. After going unsold at the auction, the cricketer was acquired by the Dambulla Sixers franchise following their forced ownership change.

Turning up for the Sixers, the 21-year-old bashed 186 runs in six innings at an alluring average of 62 and with a strike-rate of nearly 132. Moreover, Wickramasinghe also picked up seven wickets with the ball, thus signalling a rise into Sri Lanka’s potential answer for its next fast bowling all-rounder.

Following a breakthrough LPL 2024 season, the Kandy-born cricketer received a call-up into Sri Lanka’s playing XI for a T20I match against world champions India in Pallekele on July 30. Making the most of his newfound opportunity, Chamindu Wickramasinghe dismissed India’s number 3 Sanju Samson and bagged impressive debut figures of 1-17 from four overs.

Interestingly, Wickramasinghe once credited India’s MRF Pace foundation for his fast-bowling success. Here at OneCricket, we take a look back at the time when the young Sri Lankan all-rounder attributed his success to the Chennai-based academy.


When Chamindu Wickramasinghe talked about MRF Pace Academy

Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who grew up idolising England all-rounder Ben Stokes, delivered an all-round match-winning performance against Galle Marvels during the LPL 2024 season. After scoring 56* from 34 balls and bowling a tight final over, the cricketer was fittingly declared the ‘Player of the Match’.

During the post-match presentation ceremony, Wickramasinghe said that he spent three months at India’s MRF Pace Academy earlier this year. The young all-rounder also credited the academy for sharpening his fast-bowling skills, saying:

“I was in India for the past three months at the MRF Pace Foundation. I did a lot of work there and I believe I learnt a lot. That experience has helped me to perform well.”

Chamindu Wickramasinghe has so far played eight first-class matches, 17 List A games and 26 T20s. He started his competitive cricket journey back in March 2021 for the Sinhalese Sports Club. As of now, Wickramasinghe looks on course to become the next fast-bowling all-rounder for Sri Lanka.