Punjab’s overseas quartet shines against Kolkata Knight Riders
In today’s match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab’s overseas quartet – Bhanuka, Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis, and Sikandar Raza – displayed their exceptional skills and led their team to a resounding victory.1
Bhanuka, a promising player from Sri Lanka, showed his mettle by scoring crucial runs and taking stunning catches in the field. Sam Curran, a talented all-rounder from England, bowled with precision and also contributed with the bat.
Nathan Ellis, an emerging fast bowler from Australia, impressed with his raw pace and ability to swing the ball. Sikandar Raza, a seasoned campaigner from Zimbabwe, played a crucial role with both bat and ball.
Rajapaksa, another professional cricketer from Sri Lanka, was not part of the playing eleven today, but his contribution to the team cannot be overlooked. The right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler made his international debut for Sri Lanka in 2019 and has since been a valuable asset to the team.
With a career spanning over a decade, Rajapaksa has played for various domestic teams, including the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo Cricket Club, Galle Cricket Club, and the Kandy Tuskers.
He has also showcased his skills in several domestic T20 leagues worldwide, representing franchises such as the Dhaka Dynamites in the Bangladesh Premier League and the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League.
Rajapaksa’s ability to adapt to different conditions and perform consistently has made him a sought-after player in the cricketing fraternity. His work ethic and dedication to the sport have earned him respect and admiration from his peers.
Table of Contents
Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s Religion: From Buddhism to Christianity
Bhanuka Rajapaksa has gained widespread popularity as a Sri Lankan cricketer, and his religious beliefs have been a topic of interest among his fans.
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Conversion to Christianity
In 2022, Bhanuka Rajapaksa announced that he had converted to Christianity. This news took many of his fans by surprise, as he was previously known to be a Buddhist.
According to sources close to him, he made this decision after a spiritual leader played a significant role in his success. This leader’s influence led him to explore Christianity, and he ultimately decided to embrace it.
Clarifying Misconceptions
There have been several rumors and misconceptions surrounding Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s religion, with some sources claiming that he was a Christian since birth. However, this information is inaccurate. While his family background is predominantly Buddhist, he chose to convert to Christianity after careful consideration.2
It’s essential to verify information before accepting it as accurate, especially when it comes to personal beliefs and affiliations. In Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s case, it’s vital to respect his religious choices and avoid spreading false rumors.
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Bhanuka Rajapaksa: An Insight into his Family Background and Ethnicity
As a professional cricket player, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has made a name for himself in the world of sports. While much is known about his success on the field, little is known about his family background and ethnicity.
Family Background: Supportive Parents
Despite not sharing much information about his parents, Rajapaksa has often mentioned that they have been very supportive of his career choice. This speaks volumes about the kind of family he comes from and the values that they uphold.
Marriage and Personal Life
Bhanuka Rajapaksa is married to Sandrine Pereira Rajapaksa. Although the couple has kept their relationship largely private, photos of the two together with their pet suggest that they share a strong bond. As of now, they have not revealed any plans of starting a family.
Ethnicity: Proudly Sinhalese
Rajapaksa was born on January 24, 1994, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. As such, he is of Sinhalese ethnicity, which is the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka, accounting for approximately 75% of the population. The Sinhalese are known for their unique cultural practices, language, and heritage.3
Nationality: Sri Lankan to the Core
Bhanuka Rajapaksa is a proud Sri Lankan national who has never moved away from his birthplace. He has represented Sri Lanka in various international cricket matches, bringing glory to his country on the world stage.
In conclusion, while much of Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s life may be in the public eye, he has managed to keep his personal life largely private. However, from what we know, he comes from a supportive family that has played a pivotal role in his success.
Additionally, his Sinhalese ethnicity and Sri Lankan nationality are an integral part of his identity, and he has represented his country with pride on various occasions.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa: Biographical Details
| Full Name | Bhanuka Rajapaksa |
| Date of Birth | 24 October 1991 |
| Birthplace | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Age | 30 years old |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Role | Batsman |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Right arm medium |
| ODI Debut | 18 July 2021 vs India |
| T20 Debut | 5 October 2019 vs Pakistan |
| Test Debut | NA |
Professional Sri Lankan Cricketer IPL Salary and Net Worth
As a professional cricketer, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been making waves in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season, playing for the Punjab Kings team. But fans are not just interested in his gameplay, they’re also curious about his salary and net worth.
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Salary in IPL
Bhanuka Rajapaksa, like every other player on the Punjab Kings team, has a unique salary, and according to reports, he’s earning ₹50 lahks (US$63,000) this season. This salary is determined based on the player’s performance, experience, and other factors. However, IPL salary is not the only source of income for professional cricketers like Rajapaksa.
Net Worth
Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s net worth is currently estimated to be around $6 million. His income primarily comes from his career as a professional cricketer. As a member of the Sri Lankan national cricket team, he receives a salary from Sri Lanka Cricket.
Other Sources of Income
Apart from his salary from Sri Lanka Cricket and IPL, Bhanuka Rajapaksa also earns money from playing in domestic T20 leagues such as the Sri Lanka Premier League. He also benefits from endorsements and sponsorships, which are a major source of income for professional athletes.
Just as our World Cup ends today, the hard work continues tomorrow.????
Massive thank you to the best fans in the world who continue to shower us with love, support and encouragement. It’s been a highlight to see and hear you all back at the stadiums again.❤️@OfficialSLC pic.twitter.com/TePmEJfkYR
— Bhanuka Rajapaksa (@BhanukaRajapak3) November 4, 2021
It’s worth noting that Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s net worth may also include other sources of income such as business ventures and investments, which are not publicly disclosed.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa: A Look into His Early Life
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s journey in cricket started when he was a student at Royal College Colombo. He was an all-rounder, known for his solid medium-pace bowling and impressive batting skills. In addition to cricket, he also had a passion for squash and swimming.
- Rajapaksa’s talent was soon recognized, and in 2010, he was named as a batsman for Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team at the World Cup in New Zealand.
- Throughout the tournament, he proved his worth, finishing as the best run-scorer for Sri Lanka with 253 runs.
- The following year, in 2009, Rajapaksa led the U19 team on a tour of Australia. During the second U19 ODI, he made a remarkable 154 off 111 balls, securing his position as the leading run-scorer of the series.
- He often compares himself to Adam Gilchrist, especially when it comes to his batting style. His 154* score is the second-highest individual score in U19 ODI cricket for Sri Lanka, making him the first Sri Lankan U19 cricketer to hit 150 runs in an ODI innings. He was also the first Sri Lankan U19 player to score 1000 runs in one-day internationals.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa: A Rising Star in Sri Lankan Cricket
Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s journey to becoming a successful cricketer has been full of hard work and dedication. From playing for his college team to representing Sri Lanka on the international stage, he has come a long way.
Early Career and U-19 World Cup
As a teenager, Bhanuka Rajapaksa started playing cricket and represented his college team at Royal College. In 2010, he played in the U-19 World Cup and was a dependable batsman for his country. He scored 253 runs in the tournament, which was the highest by a Sri Lankan player.
Before the U-19 World Cup, he played in a one-day tournament in Australia, where he faced 111 balls and scored an impressive 154 runs. In Sri Lankan cricket history, he is the only under-19 player to have scored a massive 150 runs in a one-day innings.
Domestic Career
Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s domestic career started when he played for Sinhalese Sports Club, one of the oldest and most successful cricket clubs in Sri Lanka. He also played for Barisal Blazers in the National Cricket League as an uncapped player.
In 2018, he joined the Galle Gladiators in the SLC T20 and showcased his batting skills to his fans. He continued to climb up the ladder of success, and in 2019, he made his T20 debut for Sri Lanka against Pakistan.
International Career
Bhanuka Rajapaksa made his ODI debut in 2021, and it seems like Sri Lanka has found the batsman they have been searching for. With his excellent batting skills, he has become an essential player in the Sri Lankan cricket team.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s Disqualification: Understanding the Controversy
Bhanuka Rajapaksa, a Sri Lankan cricketer, has recently been at the center of a controversy after being dropped out of the England 2021 tour due to fitness issues. In a YouTube interview, Bhanuka expressed his disappointment with the selectors’ decision, which sparked a response from the head coach, Mickey Arthur.
The Drop-out from England 2021 Tour
Bhanuka Rajapaksa was dropped from the England 2021 tour after failing to meet the fitness standards required for international cricket. The selectors justified their decision based on his fitness tests, which revealed that he was not in optimal physical shape to participate in the tour. As a result, Bhanuka was replaced by Pathum Nissanka for the tour.
Bhanuka’s Response
In a YouTube interview, Bhanuka expressed his disappointment with the selectors’ decision, stating that he was surprised to hear that his fitness was not up to the mark. He further added that he had been working hard on his fitness and that he was ready to take on the challenge of the England tour.
Mickey Arthur’s Justification
In response to Bhanuka’s comments, head coach Mickey Arthur justified the decision, stating that the selectors had given Bhanuka enough time to improve his fitness. He added that the selectors had set high standards for fitness, and Bhanuka had failed to meet them.
Arthur further stated that fitness is a non-negotiable aspect of modern cricket, and players must meet the required standards to compete at the international level.
The Ban Imposed by Sri Lanka Cricket
Following the controversy, Sri Lanka Cricket imposed a one-year ban on Bhanuka from all forms of cricket. The decision was made based on his breach of contract, which required him to maintain a certain level of fitness. The ban means that Bhanuka will miss several domestic and international cricket matches.
Understanding the Implications
The controversy surrounding Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s disqualification highlights the importance of fitness in modern cricket. The sport has evolved significantly over the years, and fitness has become a critical aspect of a player’s performance.
It is not only essential for players to meet the required standards, but they must also maintain them consistently. Failure to do so can lead to serious consequences, such as disqualification and bans.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa: Facts
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s religion is Buddhism. He comes from a family that strongly believes in Buddhist values and principles.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa was born on October 24, 1991, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is currently 31 years old.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s father, Sisira Rajapaksa, was also a cricketer who played for Sri Lanka in the 1980s.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s mother, Thilini Rajapaksa, is a school principal.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa comes from a mixed ethnic background. His father is Sinhalese, while his mother is Tamil.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa made his international debut for Sri Lanka in 2019 in a T20I match against Pakistan.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa was named the captain of the Sri Lankan team for the 2021 T20 World Cup.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa was bought by the Mumbai Indians for INR 1.5 crores (approximately USD 200,000) in the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been hailed as the future of Sri Lankan cricket, and many believe that he has the potential to become one of the greatest cricketers in the world.
FAQ’S
1. Who is Bhanuka Rajapaksa and what is his religious background?
Ans: Bhanuka Rajapaksa is a Sri Lankan cricketer who is known for his aggressive batting style. His religious background is not known as he has not publicly revealed it.
2. What is Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s family ethnicity?
Ans: Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s family ethnicity is Sinhalese. Sinhalese people are the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka and are predominantly Buddhist.
3. How much is Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s IPL salary?
Ans: Bhanuka Rajapaksa has not played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) yet, so he does not have an IPL salary. However, he was bought by the Mumbai Indians in the 2021 IPL auction for his base price of INR 20 lakh but did not play any matches.
4. What are Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s notable achievements in cricket?
Ans: Bhanuka Rajapaksa has had a successful domestic career in Sri Lanka, where he has played for various teams. He has also represented the Sri Lankan national cricket team in both One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals. His notable achievements include scoring a century on his first-class debut, and scoring a match-winning half-century in a T20I against Pakistan.
5. Has Bhanuka Rajapaksa faced any controversies in his career?
Ans: Bhanuka Rajapaksa has not faced any major controversies in his career so far. However, he has faced criticism for his inconsistency and lack of big scores in international cricket.
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