Last year, after Pathum Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan to score a double century in ODIs, he was asked about his cricketing ambition. Without hesitation, he declared: “I want to be the world’s number one ranked batter.” Bold words indeed, especially for a young cricketer following in the footsteps of Sri Lanka’s greatest, Kumar Sangakkara.
The 25-year-old from Kalutara is fast closing in on that dream. Already among the top ten batters in T20Is, Nissanka is now nudging closer to the summit in ODIs. His scintillating performance in Dubai against India, which nearly toppled the world champions, will see him break into the top five when rankings are updated next week.
Dubai Display: Strokes of Genius
If Abhishek Sharma was the entertainer, Nissanka was the magician. With cuts and pulls executed with disdain and lofts danced down with velvet footwork, he made India’s best bowlers look ordinary. Even Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav seemed at a loss before Nissanka’s groin injury denied him the chance to finish the job.
His brilliance, however, dragged Sri Lanka into a tie and forced a Super Over. Though sidelined for that final act, his innings had already left a mark.
The Masterclass at The Oval
Dubai was not a one-off. At The Oval earlier, on a seaming track against four fiery English quicks, Nissanka produced a masterclass in batting in bowler-friendly conditions. Playing with a dead straight bat until his fifty, he then unleashed his full repertoire — punishing loose deliveries and unleashing audacious strokes. That knock led to Sri Lanka’s first Test win in England in a decade, earning applause even from the home crowd.
Talk soon surfaced of a County stint, but Sri Lanka’s packed schedule kept him from taking that step. Yet after Friday’s fireworks, IPL franchises across India will be watching keenly — the man who makes batting look effortless is impossible to ignore.
The Classical Touch in T20
Nissanka showed that T20 cricket is not just brute force. With exquisite timing and placement, he proved classical batting still has a place in the shortest format. It was, simply put, a joy to watch.
The Journey: From Kalutara to Stardom
The story of Pathum Nissanka is one of grit and humble beginnings. His father, a groundsman at Kalutara’s Esplanade, was his first coach. A scholarship to Isipathana College opened the door to professional cricket. Soon, Nissanka was in the Sri Lanka Under-19 squad.
He was picked up by Nondescripts Cricket Club, the nursery of legends like Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, and Dinesh Chandimal. Under the guidance of former Test captain Hashan Tillakaratne, he honed his skills into a devastating arsenal.
These days, his father makes an audacious prediction: “If there is one batsman who can break most of Virat Kohli’s records, it has to be Pathum Nissanka Silva.”
For Nissanka, the journey has just begun — and the cricketing world is watching.
