Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage was named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August 2024 for his outstanding all-round display against India. The 21-year-old left-arm spinner and batter claimed the prestigious award outperforming South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj and West Indies’ Jayden Seales.
Wellalage played a key role in Sri Lanka’s ODI series win against India
Wellalage played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s significant ODI series win against India, marking their first bilateral victory over the cricket powerhouse since 1997.
Even though India was expected to win, with key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in the team, Wellalage’s outstanding performance in all aspects of the game helped Sri Lanka defeat the tough opposition.
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Throughout the series, Wellalage scored 108 runs and grabbed seven wickets, making vital impact in each match. In the first ODI, he achieved his personal best with an unbeaten score of 67, while also dismissing Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, which helped Sri Lanka in achieving an exciting tie.
His score of 39 in the second ODI was crucial in helping Sri Lanka achieve a winning total. Even though he didn’t perform well with the bat in the third ODI, Wellalage achieved a personal best in bowling, taking 5/27 and successfully breaking down India’s batting lineup by getting important wickets like Kohli, Rohit, and Shreyas Iyer.
Harshita Samarawickrama awarded ICC Women’s Player of the Month
Wellalage is the second Sri Lankan male player to win the award this year, with Kamindu Mendis also being honored in March 2024. Sri Lanka had a two-fold celebration as Harshita Samarawickrama was awarded the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for August.
She overcame competition from the Irish duo of Orla Prendergast and Gaby Lewis to bag the honour. It is also the third woman’s award for the island nation in 2024, with Athapaththu having won the award in May and July.
The southpaw dominated Ireland in both ODI and T20I legs of the tour, securing some monster scores on the way.
