Eshan Malinga Steps Up: A New Paceman for Sri Lanka’s ODI Hopes

Sri Lanka’s cricket selectors have pressed the reset button on their pace attack. Eshan Malinga, who’s just 23 years old and known for bowling at thunderous speeds, is now in the spotlight. With frontline fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka sidelined due to injury, the team has handed Malinga his first chance in the national setup for the upcoming ODI series against India.

Malinga’s journey has caught the eye for a while now. He first got heads turning back in 2019—he blazed through a nationwide fast bowling competition, hitting a 141kph delivery. That kind of raw pace isn’t something you see every day, especially from someone so young. It stamped him as a bowler to watch.

More recently, it’s not just the flash of speed that’s stood out. In domestic List A cricket this season, Malinga bagged 20 wickets from 12 games. He averaged a tidy 25.15 runs per wicket—not earth-shattering numbers, but solid proof he’s reliable. This isn’t just about potential; it’s about a bowler already delivering when it counts.

Fresh Blood, Fading Form, and Big Opportunities

Why the sudden switch? Madushanka’s stats offer a clue—just 14 wickets in 11 ODIs, and his recent outings haven’t exactly electrified fans or coaches. The selectors needed to inject some energy and hope into their attack, and Malinga, with his consistency and fire, fits that bill perfectly.

The team has taken notice of his progress across formats. Earlier, Malinga snagged a spot with the Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League, showing he can handle the pressure of top-level cricket. In 2024, he was also named in the Sri Lanka A squad, a huge vote of confidence from the national selectors that he’s more than just a net bowler.

And the hype isn’t just local. Word of Malinga’s talent spread to India, with Sunrisers Hyderabad signing him for IPL 2025. That’s a tough room to break into—full of fast bowlers, international stars, and fierce competition for every match. His signing instantly boosts his credentials, and gives Sri Lanka fans reason to believe their next pace sensation might already be here.

So, what does this all mean for Sri Lanka in the India vs Sri Lanka series? Simply put: new blood in the ranks, more speed up front, and a clear statement that the team is ready to invest in youthful power. It’s a balancing act, because international cricket doesn’t hand out second chances easily. But with Malinga in, Sri Lanka is signaling they’re thinking long-term, as much as about the next match with India.

As the ODI series approaches, fans and opponents alike will be watching to see if Malinga can carry his domestic confidence onto the international stage. Will he rattle India’s top order, or will it be a learning curve against some of the world’s best batsmen? Either way, Sri Lanka’s decision has added a fresh layer of excitement to the contest—and maybe, just maybe, to the future of their fast bowling.