- Nationality
India- Cricket
- Pathum Nissanka
- Current Team
- DC
A prolific run-machine and the first Sri Lankan to breach the double-century mark in ODIs, Pathum Nissanka (born May 18, 1998) has emerged as the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s modern-day batting lineup. Known for his technical poise and ability to anchor long innings, Nissanka’s journey from the coastal town of Galle to the pinnacle of world cricket is a story of sheer perseverance.
As of January 20, 2026, Nissanka is making waves in the T20 circuit. Following a stellar Asia Cup 2025 and a historic run in ODIs, he was secured by the Delhi Capitals (DC) for ₹4 Crore in the December 2025 auction, marking his highly anticipated debut in the IPL 2026 season.
Pathum Nissanka: Player Profile & 2025–26 Milestones
The Record-Breaker: From Galle to History
Pathum Nissanka etched his name in the record books in February 2024, becoming the first Sri Lankan to score an ODI double century (210* vs Afghanistan). His momentum carried into 2025, where he dominated the Test arena with back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh (187 and 158), helping Sri Lanka secure a dominant series win in June 2025.
Asia Cup 2025: The T20 Evolution
Long considered a “red-ball” or “ODI” specialist, Nissanka silenced critics during the 2025 Asia Cup in Dubai. He smashed a brilliant 107 off 58 balls against India, demonstrating a new level of aggression. By the end of 2025, he became Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer in T20I cricket, surpassing 2,300 runs and solidifying his position as a world-class all-format opener.
IPL 2026: The Capital’s New Opener
The December 2025 IPL auction saw a fierce bidding war for Nissanka, with Delhi Capitals ultimately securing him for ₹4 Crore. Viewed as the perfect opening partner for KL Rahul, Nissanka’s ability to stabilize the powerplay while finding boundaries makes him a critical addition to the DC top order for the 2026 season.
Pathum Nissanka: Career Statistics
Data consolidated as of January 20, 2026.
International Batting Performance
| Format | Matches | Runs | High Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
| Test Cricket | 18 | 1,305 | 187 | 45.00 | 56.76 | 4 | 7 |
| ODI Cricket | 74 | 2,823 | 210* | 40.91 | 89.03 | 7 | 17 |
| T20 International | 81 | 2,357 | 107 | 31.01 | 126.65 | 1 | 18 |
Recent T20 Form (Jan 2026 vs Pakistan)
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3rd T20I (Dambulla): 0 (2 balls)
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1st T20I (Dambulla): 12 (12 balls)
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Asia Cup 2025 Highlight: 107 (58 balls) vs India.
