Bogdankdu: creating the article nd citations

2026-08-21T21:57:12Z

creating the article nd citations

New page

{{short description|Sri Lankan cricketer (born 1993)}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2026}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Akila Dananjaya
| image =
| country = Sri Lanka
| full_name = Mahamarakkala Kurukulasooriya Patabendige Akila Dananjaya Perera
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|4|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Panadura]], Sri Lanka
| heightft = 5
| heightinch = 7
| batting = Left-handed
| bowling = Right-arm [[off break]]<br />Right-arm [[leg break]]
| role = Bowling [[All-rounder]]
| international = true
| internationalspan = 2012–present

| testdebutdate = 8 February
| testdebutyear = 2018
| testdebutagainst = Bangladesh
| testcap = 145
| lasttestdate = 14 August
| lasttestyear = 2019
| lasttestagainst = New Zealand

| odidebutdate = 12 November
| odidebutyear = 2012
| odidebutagainst = New Zealand
| odicap = 154
| lastodidate = 4 August
| lastodiyear = 2024
| lastodiagainst = Sri Lanka

| T20Idebutdate = 27 September
| T20Idebutyear = 2012
| T20Idebutagainst = New Zealand
| T20Icap = 47
| lastT20Idate = 4 March
| lastT20Iyear = 2024
| lastT20Iagainst = Bangladesh

| club1 = [[Wayamba United]]
| year1 = 2012
| club2 = [[Colts Cricket Club]]
| year2 = 2013/14-present
| club3 = [[Khulna Titans]]
| year3 = 2017/18
| club4 = [[Mumbai Indians]]
| year4 = 2018
| club5 = [[Galle Gladiators]]
| year5 = 2020/21
| club6 = [[Dambulla Sixers]]
| year6 = 2026

| columns = 4
| column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1 = 6
| runs1 = 135
| bat avg1 = 16.87
| 100s/50s1 = 0/0
| top score1 = 43[[Not out|*]]
| deliveries1 = 1,385
| wickets1 = 33
| bowl avg1 = 24.81
| fivefor1 = 4
| tenfor1 = 0
| best bowling1 = 6/115
| catches/stumpings1 = 1/–
| column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| matches2 = 42
| runs2 =323
| bat avg2 = 12.42
| 100s/50s2 = 0/1
| top score2 = 50[[Not out|*]]
| deliveries2 = 2,115
| wickets2 = 59
| bowl avg2 = 30.66
| fivefor2 = 2
| tenfor2 = 0
| best bowling2 = 6/29
| catches/stumpings2 = 14/-
| column3 = [[Twenty20 International|T20I]]
| matches3 = 33
| runs3 = 65
| bat avg3 = 8.12
| 100s/50s3 = 0/0
| top score3 = 11[[Not out|*]]
| deliveries3 = 701
| wickets3 = 30
| bowl avg3 = 32.16
| fivefor3 = 0
| tenfor3 = 0
| best bowling3 = 3/36
| catches/stumpings3 = 7/-
| column4 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches4 = 83
| runs4 = 1,459
| bat avg4 = 19.45
| 100s/50s4 = 0/5
| top score4 = 92
| deliveries4 = 14,427
| wickets4 = 343
| bowl avg4 = 28.22
| fivefor4 = 24
| tenfor4 = 5
| best bowling4 = 9/56
| catches/stumpings4 = 30/–
| date = 21 March 2025
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/574178.html ESPNcricinfo
}}
'''Mahamarakkala Kurukulasooriya Patabendige Akila Dananjaya Perera''' ({{langx|si|අකිල ධනංජය}}; born 4 October 1993), popularly known as '''Akila Dananjaya''', is a professional Sri Lankan [[cricket]]er, who played all forms of the game for the [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|national team]]. In March 2021, he became the first bowler to take [[Hat-trick (cricket)|hat-trick]] and be hit for the maximum of six sixes in an over in the same match, by [[Kieron Pollard]] against [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] .<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2021|title=Twitter explodes after Kieron Pollard smashes six sixes in an over off hat-trick-taker Akila Dananjaya|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/twitter-explodes-after-kieron-pollard-smashes-six-sixes-in-an-over-off-hat-trick-taker-akila-dananjaya-101614827434084.html|access-date=4 March 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

In December 2018, he was suspended from bowling in international matches after his bowling action was deemed to be illegal, which was later corrected to play in March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/939896 |title=Bowling action of Akila Dananjaya found to be illegal |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=11 December 2018}}</ref> However, in September 2019, the [[International Cricket Council]] (ICC) suspended Dananjaya from bowling in international matches for twelve months after his bowling action was once again deemed to be illegal, a penalty received for failing a biomechanics assessment twice within a two-year period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27650049/akila-dananjaya-banned-bowling-one-year |title=Akila Dananjaya banned from bowling for one year |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 September 2019}}</ref> He was cleared to bowl in international cricket again on 8 January 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Akila Dananjaya cleared to bowl in international cricket |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-akila-dananjaya-cleared-to-bowl-in-international-cricket-1247009 |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref>

==Personal life==
The son of a carpenter from Moratuwa, Dananjaya studied at Moratuwa Maha Vidyalaya Panadura Mahanama Navodya Vidyalaya, Panadura. He married his longtime partner Nethalie Tekshini on 22 August 2017 just two days before his recall to the ODI team for second ODI against India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/cricket/newly-wed-akila-dananjaya-skipped-honeymoon-to-record-career-best-bowling-figures-2036080.html |title=Newly-wed Akila Dananjaya skipped honeymoon to record career-best bowling figures |publisher=Zee News |access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/96636/akila-dananjayas-near-wedding-gift-to-sri-lanka-india-cricket-team-tour-of-sri-lanka-2017 |title=Dananjaya's near wedding gift to Sri Lanka |date=24 August 2017 |publisher=CricBuzz |access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref> The wedding was celebrated at Ramadia Ran Mal Holiday Resort, [[Moratuwa]] and two spinners [[Rangana Herath]] and [[Ajantha Mendis]] signed as witnesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asianmirror.lk/entertainment/item/25028-sri-lankan-cricketer-akila-dananjaya-s-wedding|title=Sri Lankan Cricketer Akila Dananjaya's Wedding And Pre-shoot|work=Asian Mirror|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825224932/https://www.asianmirror.lk/entertainment/item/25028-sri-lankan-cricketer-akila-dananjaya-s-wedding|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Domestic career==
He was selected to play for [[Wayamba United]] in the inaugural [[Sri Lanka Premier League]]. In only his second match for the franchise, he took 3–18 against [[Nagenahira Nagas]], consistently disturbing the batsmen with his flight, googly and other variations.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-premier-league-2012/content/story/578544.html Jayawardene's 96 keeps Wayamba on top] ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 August 2012</ref>

In the 2013 [[Indian Premier League|IPL]] auctions, Dananjaya was sold to the [[Chennai Super Kings]] for his base price of $20,000.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2013/content/story/603255.html CSK in the 2013 IPL Auction] ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 April 2013</ref> In January 2018, he was bought by the [[Mumbai Indians]] in the [[List of 2018 Indian Premier League personnel changes|2018 IPL auction]].<ref name="IPL2018">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22218394/ipl-2018-player-auction-list-sold-unsold-players |title=List of sold and unsold players |access-date=27 January 2018 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

In March 2018, he was named in Galle's squad for the [[2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament]].<ref name="STimes">{{cite news |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1041112/cricket-mixed-opinions-on-provincial-tournament |title=Cricket: Mixed opinions on Provincial tournament |publisher=Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=27 March 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327035550/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1041112/cricket-mixed-opinions-on-provincial-tournament |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="DailyS">{{cite news |url=https://dailysports.lk/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-sl-super-provincial-tournament/ |title=All you need to know about the SL Super Provincial Tournament |publisher=Daily Sports |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327213128/https://dailysports.lk/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-sl-super-provincial-tournament/ |archive-date=27 March 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2018, he was named in Colombo's squad the 2018 SLC T20 League.<ref name="2018SLC">{{cite news |url=http://www.thepapare.com/slc-t20-league-2018-squads-finalized/ |title=SLC T20 League 2018 squads finalized |work=The Papare |access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref> In March 2019, he was named in Colombo's squad for the [[2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepapare.com/squads-fixtures-announced-for-slc-provincial-50-overs-tournament-2019/ |title=Squads, Fixtures announced for SLC Provincial 50 Overs Tournament |work=The Papare |date=19 March 2019 |access-date=19 March 2019}}</ref> In October 2020, he was drafted by the Galle Gladiators for the [[2020 Lanka Premier League|inaugural edition]] of the [[Lanka Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30148161/lanka-premier-league-2020-chris-gayle-andre-russell-shahid-afridi-big-names-taken-lpl-draft |title=Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Shahid Afridi among big names taken at LPL draft |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref> In August 2021, he was named in the SLC Reds team for the [[2021 SLC Invitational T20 League]] tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepapare.com/slc-invitational-t20-league-2021-squads-schedule/ |title=Sri Lanka Cricket announce Invitational T20 squads and schedule |work=The Papare |date=4 August 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021}}</ref>

==International career==
===Early beginning===
Officially a left-hand batsman and an [[off-break]] bowler, he is said to have seven variations, including the [[leg-break]], [[googly]], [[carrom ball]], [[doosra]] and his stock off-spinner that had impressed national team captain [[Mahela Jayawardene]] so much in the nets as to make Jayawardene request him to be fast-tracked into the national squad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-2012/content/story/584477.html |title=Early signs encouraging for Dananjaya |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> Dhananjaya had at that point played no first-class, List A, T20 or even U-19 cricket. This in turn led to controversy as his selection was questioned by the media on the basis of a net performance.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-2012/content/current/story/579078.html Who is Akila Dananjaya?] ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 August 2012</ref>

This in turn led to a place in the final squad for the [[2012 ICC World Twenty20]].<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-2012/content/story/579001.html Rookie spinner Dananjaya gets World T20 call-up] ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 August 2012</ref> He made his debut international appearance at the age of 18 against New Zealand at Pallekele in a pool match of World Twenty20.

He was hit on the face by a full-blooded drive from New Zealand opener [[Rob Nicol]], with the ball going through his hands to strike the left side of his face. X-rays and MRI scans revealed that he had suffered a fracture on his left cheek bone as a result of the blow and did not play in the pool match against West Indies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-2012/content/story/584496.html |title=Injured Dananjaya doubtful for West Indies clash |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref>

===Recall after 5 years===
Dananjaya was recalled in to the ODI squad after five years for the [[Zimbabwean cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2017|Zimbabwe tour]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-zimbabwe-2017/content/story/1106942.html |title=Chandimal left out for first two Zimbabwe ODIs |date=27 June 2017 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=27 June 2017}}</ref> In the first match of the series, he took his maiden ODI wicket by dismissing [[Craig Ervine]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1104478.html |title=Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe at Galle, Jun 30, 2017 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=30 June 2017}}</ref> He took his maiden ODI five-wicket haul on 24 August 2017 against India at Pallekele Cricket Stadium. His fifer took in the space of 13 deliveries, which is the best for a Sri Lankan in ODIs as well. He bewildered the Indian batsmen. However, India won the match by 3 wickets at the end and Dananjaya's bowling figures of 6 for 54 stands as the best bowling figures by a Sri Lankan in a losing cause.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/17891/report/1109606/ |title=Dhoni, Bhuvneshwar trump Dananjaya's 6 for 54 |date=24 August 2017 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20445926/stats-india-record-eighth-wicket-stand-dananjaya-dream-spell |title=Record 8th wicket stand and Dananjaya's dream spell |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref> Despite the loss, he awarded man of the match for impressive bowling performance.

On 13 October 2017 against Pakistan, Dananjaya scored his maiden ODI fifty. His score of an unbeaten 50 off 72 balls did not help Sri Lanka to win the match, but helped to reach 200 mark in total.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18037/scorecard/1120286/Pakistan-vs-Sri-Lanka-1st-ODI-sl-in-uae-and-pak-2017-18-2017-18 |title=1st ODI (D/N), Sri Lanka tour of United Arab Emirates and Pakistan at Dubai, Oct 13 2017 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=13 October 2017}}</ref>

===As strike bowler===
In 2018, Dhananjaya was named to Sri Lanka's Test squad for the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Bangladesh in 2017-18|tour of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/1132672.html| title=Lakmal named Sri Lanka's Test vice-captain | work=ESPNcricinfo| date=13 January 2018| access-date=13 January 2018}}</ref> He made his Test debut on 8 February 2018 against Bangladesh in the second Test at [[Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium|Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium]]. He took his first test wicket of [[Mahmudullah]] in the Bangladesh's first innings and claimed two more wickets to restrict Bangladesh to 110 by finishing with decent figures of 3/20.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1130745.html | title=2nd Test, Sri Lanka Tour of Bangladesh at Dhaka, Feb 8–12 2018 | work=ESPNcricinfo| date=8 February 2018| access-date=8 February 2018}}</ref> In the second innings, Dananjaya took his maiden Test five-wicket haul by taking 5 for 24 runs, becoming only the 3rd Sri Lankan to take a [[List of Sri Lanka cricketers who have taken five-wicket hauls on Test debut|fifer on his test debut]] and the first instance for Sri Lanka since 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;debut_or_last=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;team=8;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings|title=Best bowling in an innings on debut for Sri Lanka|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=12 February 2018}}</ref> With 8 wickets for 44 runs in the match, Dananjaya's bowling figures recorded as the best bowling figures by a Sri Lankan in debut match and only the 2nd Sri Lankan to grab 8 wickets on debut, beating [[Ajantha Mendis]]' figures of 8/144.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;debut_or_last=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;team=8;template=results;type=bowling;view=match|title=Best test match bowling figures for Sri Lanka|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=12 February 2018}}</ref> Dananjaya's record breaking figures of 8/44 on his Test debut is regarded as one of the most economical cheapest bowling figures by a bowler on test debut and also recorded the best bowling average by a bowler on his test debut (for a bowler with minimum of 8 wickets) with an average of 5.50 breaking the previous record held by [[Albert Trott]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18527/report/1130745/day/3/ |title=Dananjaya takes five as Sri Lanka clinch series |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22388193/rangana-herath-akila-dananjaya-rewrite-record-books |title=Rangana Herath and Akila Dananjaya rewrite record books |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=12 February 2018}}</ref>

In May 2018, he was one of 33 cricketers to be awarded a national contract by [[Sri Lanka Cricket]] ahead of the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/692671 |title=Sri Lanka assign 33 national contracts with pay hike |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23570424/sri-lankan-players-receive-pay-hike |title=Sri Lankan players to receive pay hike |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref>

Dananjaya played the second test [[South Africa cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2018|against South Africa]] on 20 July 2018. During the match, he had a 74-run partnership with Rangana Herath. Dananjaya scored unbeaten 43 in that first innings and helped Sri Lanka swell their first-innings total to 338. In bowling, Dananjaya picked up his second five-wicket haul in his third Test.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18629/report/1142582/day/2/sri-lanka-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-sa-sl-2018 |title=Dimuth Karunaratne builds lead after spinners rout South Africa again |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 July 2018}}</ref> In the second innings, he took two wickets and finally Sri Lanka won the match by 199 runs and sealed the series 2–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18629/report/1142582/day/4/sri-lanka-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-sa-sl-2018 |title=Herath six-for completes 2–0 after de Bruyn's fighting 101 |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=23 July 2018}}</ref>

In the fifth ODI against South Africa, Dananjaya took career-best figures of 6 for 29, where South Africa were bowled out for just 121 runs. South Africa dismissed inside 25 overs for their lowest total in, and against, Sri Lanka as well. He mixed the deliveries at will with wrong'un and googlies, where Proteas batsmen had no answers. Dananjaya's figures of 6–29 is the best bowling figures against South Africa by a Sri Lankan. Sri Lanka won the match by 178 runs and Dananjaya was adjudged man of the match for his match winning bowling performance. Despite all those results, South Africa won the series 3–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18629/report/1142588/sri-lanka-vs-south-africa-5th-odi-sa-sl-2018 |title=Mathews, Akila Dananjaya hand South Africa a drubbing |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref> He was also selected for ODI bowling nominees in ICC Cricket Awards 2019 for his bowling in this match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2018/content/story/1169245.html |title=Three leggies, two oldies, and a pile of wickets |work=ESPNcricinfo|date=22 January 2019 |access-date=22 January 2019}}</ref>
On Match 3 2021, Akila Dananjaya became only player to take hat-trick and then be smashed for six sixes in the same match, in his third over against Kieron Pollard.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportstiger.com/watch-akila-dananjaya-dismisses-lewis-gayle-and-pooran-off-successive-deliveries-for-a-hat-trick/ |title=Watch: Akila Dananjaya dismisses Lewis, Gayle and Pooran off successive deliveries for a hat-trick |website=SportsTiger|date=4 March 2021 |language=en |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2021/mar/04/watch--akila-dananjaya-claims-t20i-hat-trick-hit-for-six-sixes-an-over-by-keiron-pollard-2272029.html |title=Watch: Akila Dananjaya claims T20I hat trick, hit for six sixes an over by Keiron Pollard |website=The New Indian Express|date=4 March 2021 |language=en |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/kieron-pollard-hits-six-sixes-in-an-over-off-hat-trick-man-dananjaya-in-t20-triumph/article33985736.ece |title=Kieron Pollard hits six sixes in an over off hat-trick man Dananjaya in T20 triumph |website=The Hindu|date=4 March 2021 |language=en |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.india.com/sports/wi-vs-sl-akila-dananjayas-hat-trick-to-kieron-pollards-6-sixes-1st-t20i-between-west-indies-and-sri-lanka-churned-out-crazy-records-4466326/ |title=WI vs SL: Akila Dananjaya's Hat-trick to Kieron Pollard's 6 Sixes, 1st T20I Between West Indies and Sri Lanka Churned Out Crazy Records |website=India.com|language=en |access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>

===Suspect bowling action===
In November 2018, during the first Test [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2018–19|against England]] at Galle, Dananjaya is reported with [[suspect bowling action]]. He was then requested to undergo testing on his action within 14 days. However, the ICC informed that he can bowl until the results of the bowling tests are out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25240424/sri-lanka-akila-dananjaya-reported-suspect-bowling-action |title=Akila Dananjaya reported for suspect bowling action |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 November 2018}}</ref> Dananjaya played the second Test of the series and took a five wicket haul, despite Sri Lanka lost the match and the series. He missed the third Test due to biomechanical testing in Brisbane, Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25263993/akila-dananjaya-set-miss-third-test-order-action-tested |title=Akila Dananjaya set to miss third Test in order to have action tested |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 November 2018}}</ref> In December 2018, he was suspended from bowling in international matches due to his action being deemed illegal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/46511771 |title=Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya suspended for illegal action |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=11 December 2018}}</ref> Although he was allowed to bowl in domestic cricket with cameras placed all around to capture his action governed by Sri Lanka Cricket.

On 1 February 2019, he went Chennai to reassess his bowling action. The reassessment took place at the Center for Sports Science (CSS) of the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25892963/akila-dananjaya-action-tested-chennai |title=Akila Dananjaya's action to be tested in Chennai |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref> On 18 February 2019, he was cleared by the ICC to play international cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26023916/akila-dananjaya-returns-south-africa-odis-having-action-cleared |title=Akila Dananjaya returns for South Africa ODIs after having action cleared |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref> He was included to the South African ODI series after clearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26024551/akila-dananjaya-action-cleared-ahead-following-tests-chennai |title=Akila Dananjaya's action cleared ahead following tests in Chennai |work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 February 2019}}</ref>

=== International comeback ===
Akila made his comeback return to national team during the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in the West Indies in 2020–21|tour of Caribbean in March 2021]], after a gap of 2 years since reassessing his bowling action. In the first T20I between the two sides at Antigua, Akila Dananjaya took a hat-trick in his second over of the spell which was also his maiden hat-trick at international level by dismissing [[Evin Lewis]], [[Chris Gayle]] and [[Nicholas Pooran]] in consecutive deliveries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Watch. Akila Dananjaya claims T20I hat trick, hit for six sixes an over by Keiron Pollard|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2021/mar/04/watch--akila-dananjaya-claims-t20i-hat-trick-hit-for-six-sixes-an-over-by-keiron-pollard-2272029.html|access-date=4 March 2021|website=The New Indian Express|date=4 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st T20I 2020/21 – Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-west-indies-2020-21-1252062/west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-1st-t20i-1252066/full-scorecard|access-date=4 March 2021|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> It was the first time that a bowler took a hat-trick against West Indies in a T20I. He became the third Sri Lankan bowler to take a [[List of Twenty20 International cricket hat-tricks|hat-trick in T20I]] after [[Thisara Perera]] and [[Lasith Malinga]] as well as the first Sri Lankan spinner to do so.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} However, he also conceded 36 runs in the very next over after claiming the hat-trick.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2021|title=WI vs SL: Akila Dananjaya's Hat-trick to Kieron Pollard's 6 Sixes, 1st T20I Between West Indies and Sri Lanka Turned Out to be a Crazy Ride|url=https://www.india.com/sports/wi-vs-sl-akila-dananjayas-hat-trick-to-kieron-pollards-6-sixes-1st-t20i-between-west-indies-and-sri-lanka-churned-out-crazy-records-4466326/|access-date=4 March 2021|publisher=India.com|language=en}}</ref> [[Kieron Pollard]] hammered Akila for 6 successive sixes, become just the second batsman in T20I history to hit 6 sixes in an over of a T20I, after [[Yuvraj Singh]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2021|title=Kieron Pollard becomes 2nd player after Yuvraj Singh to hit six sixes in an over in T20Is – Watch|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-kieron-pollard-becomes-2nd-player-after-yuvraj-singh-to-hit-six-sixes-in-an-over-in-t20s-101614824257156.html|access-date=4 March 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Rishabh|date=4 March 2021|title='Mad, mad game!': Sri Lanka's Akila Dananjaya takes hat-trick in second over; gets hit for six sixes in next|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket/west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-akila-dananjaya-hat-trick-second-over-hit-for-six-sixes-next-kieron-pollard-688655|access-date=4 March 2021|website=indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=How Kieron Pollard hit six sixes in an over|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-1st-t20i-2020-21-how-kieron-pollard-hit-six-sixes-in-an-over-1253650|access-date=4 March 2021|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=4 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Pollard also became the third overall cricketer to hit 36 runs in an over of an international match after [[Herschelle Gibbs]] and Yuvraj Singh.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2021|first=Akshay|last=Ramesh|title=Kieron Pollard hits 6 sixes in an over, only 3rd batsman to do so in international cricket|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/kieron-pollard-6-sixes-over-akila-dananjaya-video-west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-yuvraj-gibbs-1775369-2021-03-04|access-date=4 March 2021|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> Akila eventually conceded the joint-most expensive bowling figures in an over of a T20I match (36 runs) with [[Stuart Broad]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2021|title=From hero to zero: Sri Lankan bowler Akila Dananjaya hat-trick followed by six sixes|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/124436676/from-hero-to-zero-sri-lankan-bowler-akila-dananjaya-hattrick-followed-by-six-sixes|access-date=4 March 2021|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref>

In September 2021, Dananjaya was named as one of four reserve players in Sri Lanka's squad for the [[2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2248532 |title=Theekshana, Jayawickrema make the cut as Sri Lanka announce T20 World Cup squad |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref> He was included in the ODI and T20I squads [[Zimbabwean cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2023–24|against Zimbabwe]] in 2024, but did not play in the series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fernando, Dananjaya, Vandersay back in Sri Lanka ODI squad for Zimbabwe series |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/avishka-fernando-akila-dananjaya-jeffrey-vandersay-back-in-sri-lanka-odi-squad-for-zimbabwe-series-1415423 |access-date=4 February 2024|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Angelo Mathews back in T20I squad after three-year absence |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sl-vs-zim-sri-lanka-recall-angelo-mathews-to-t20i-squad-for-zimbabwe-series-1416095 |access-date=4 February 2024|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> However he played the third ODI [[Afghan cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2023–24|against Afghanistan]] in February 2024 and took two wickets in a winning cause for Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite web|title=3rd ODI (D/N), Pallekele, February 14, 2024, Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-vs-afghanistan-2023-24-1416068/sri-lanka-vs-afghanistan-3rd-odi-1416076/full-scorecard |access-date=4 February 2024|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> In the meantime, he was included in the T20I squad for the Afghanistan series as well and played in the third T20I.<ref>{{Cite web|title=3rd T20I (N), Dambulla, February 21, 2024, Afghanistan tour of Sri Lanka |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-vs-afghanistan-2023-24-1416068/sri-lanka-vs-afghanistan-3rd-t20i-1416079/full-scorecard |access-date=21 February 2024|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{cricinfo|id=574178}}

{{Navboxes
|title= Sri Lanka squads
|bg= blue
|fg= gold
|bordercolor=gold
|list1=
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2012 World Twenty20}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2021 Men's T20 World Cup}}
}}
{{Dambulla Sixers squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dananjaya, Akila}}
[[Category:1993 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriate cricketers in India]]
[[Category:Mumbai Indians cricketers]]
[[Category:Khulna Tigers cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriate cricketers in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Test cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Twenty20 International cricketers]]
[[Category:21st-century Sri Lankan sportsmen]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka One Day International cricketers]]
[[Category:Colts Cricket Club cricketers]]
[[Category:Wayamba United cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Cricket Combined XI cricketers]]
[[Category:Kandy Crusaders cricketers]]
[[Category:Kegalle District cricketers]]
[[Category:Cricketers who have taken five wickets on Test debut]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Panadura]]
[[Category:Galle Gallants cricketers]]
[[Category:Durban's Super Giants cricketers]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan expatriate cricketers in South Africa]]
[[Category:Twenty20 International hat-trick takers]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Western Province, Sri Lanka]]

Akila Dananjaya - Revision history

Bogdankdu: creating the article nd citations