Nuwan Thushara is one of the most talked-about fast bowlers in Sri Lanka’s new generation of cricketers. He is famous for his unique sling bowling action, which makes fans compare him to Lasith Malinga, the legendary Yorker King. Some even call him “Baby Malinga” because of how similar his action looks!
Nuwan’s journey from local matches in Moratuwa to big stadiums is full of hope, discipline, and hard work. In this long article, you will read about Nuwan Thushara’s early life, height, age, family, relationship status, cricket career, style of bowling, any controversies, and interesting facts. Let’s find out why he is such a big hope for Sri Lankan cricket.
Quick Info Table
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ihalage Nuwan Thushara |
| Nickname | Baby Malinga |
| Date of Birth | August 6, 1994 |
| Age | 30 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Moratuwa, Sri Lanka |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium (sling action) |
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Role | Fast bowler |
| Domestic Team | Colombo Stars, Galle Gladiators |
| T20 Franchise | Mumbai Indians (IPL) |
| National Team | Sri Lanka |
| Girlfriend | Not publicly known |
| Family | Private details kept confidential |
| Known For | Sling bowling, toe-crushing yorkers |
| Controversies | Minor injury talks, no major issues |
Early Life: From Moratuwa Streets to Big Stadiums
Nuwan Thushara was born on August 6, 1994, in Moratuwa, a busy town near Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital. Moratuwa is known for its cricket clubs and talented young players. Like many Sri Lankan kids, Nuwan spent his childhood playing cricket in the streets.
He came from a simple family that did not have big money. But what they did have was a big love for Nuwan’s dream. His parents saw his love for fast bowling. They supported him even when people said it would be hard for him to become a big cricketer.
Nuwan went to Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, where he played school-level cricket. His coaches noticed something special about him. He was not the tallest bowler but had a unique action — he bent his arm low, just like Lasith Malinga. This sling action made his balls very hard to pick. His teammates often found it impossible to hit his yorkers in practice!
His family encouraged him to never give up, even when he did not get selected for big teams at first. Nuwan kept playing local matches and club cricket until he got his big chance.
Height: How Tall is Nuwan Thushara?
Nuwan Thushara’s height is about 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm). Many fast bowlers are very tall, but Nuwan shows that height is not always needed. His unique sling-arm style and quick release help him bowl at good pace and deliver deadly yorkers.
He works out every day to stay fit and strong. He focuses on leg strength and shoulder power because that helps him swing his arm fast and bowl the ball at high speed.
Age: How Old is He?
Nuwan Thushara was born in 1994, so he will turn 31 years old in August 2025. Many people think that fast bowlers lose their speed when they get older. But Nuwan is showing that smart bowling and good fitness can keep him dangerous for many years.
He says he feels young at heart because he loves training and learning new tricks.
Family: Who is Behind His Journey?
Nuwan comes from a simple, close-knit family in Moratuwa. He likes to keep his family’s names and private details out of the news. He says they do not like being in the spotlight but always pray for him before every match.
Nuwan’s father often came with him to training grounds when he was a teenager. His mother made sure he ate good, healthy food so he could stay fit. He sometimes shares small family moments on social media but never too much. He wants his parents to live a quiet life.
His family’s biggest lesson to him was, “Be humble, bowl fast, and respect the game.” He still follows this every day.
Professional Cricket Journey: The Big Break
Nuwan’s career did not take off overnight. He played many years of domestic cricket, bowling for teams like Colombo Cricket Club and later for Colombo Stars and Galle Gladiators in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). His performances in the LPL made people notice him.
His sling action looked just like Malinga’s, but he added his own twist. His yorkers skidded off the pitch and surprised even experienced batsmen. He also learned how to bowl slower balls and bouncers, which made him tricky in T20 matches.
International Debut for Sri Lanka
Nuwan got his big chance when he debuted for Sri Lanka’s T20I team in 2022. He did not disappoint. He bowled well at the death overs and took key wickets. Many old players praised him, saying Sri Lanka needed a bowler like him.
His special moment came when he took a hat-trick in the LPL. This showed that his sling action is not just stylish but also very effective.
Playing in the IPL: Mumbai Indians
Nuwan’s unique action caught the eyes of IPL scouts. In 2024, he was picked by Mumbai Indians (MI), a team that knows the value of a good sling bowler. After Lasith Malinga retired, Mumbai needed someone who could bowl toe-crushing yorkers. Nuwan fitted perfectly.
He played in the IPL and impressed everyone with his calm nature and dangerous death-over bowling. He said he was living his dream playing for the same team his idol, Malinga, played for.
Bowling Style: The Deadly Sling
Nuwan Thushara’s sling action is his superpower. He bowls with a very low arm, making the ball dip suddenly and surprise the batsman. His stock ball is the yorker, which he aims at the batsman’s toes.
He has worked hard to control his line and length. He can bowl slower balls with the same action, which makes it hard for batsmen to read. He also mixes bouncers and wide yorkers to keep the batsman guessing.
His coaches say his strong wrist and finger control make him special. He studies Malinga’s old videos and tries to improve every day.
Can He Bat Too?
Nuwan is mainly a bowler, but he can bat at the tail-end. He can defend when needed and swing his bat for quick runs. He says he wants to improve his batting more because every run is important in T20 cricket.
Relationship: Does Nuwan Thushara Have a Girlfriend?
Nuwan Thushara keeps his personal life very private. He has never confirmed having a girlfriend in any interview or on social media. Many fans ask him about it, but he laughs and says, “Cricket is my main love right now.”
People respect him for focusing on his career and staying away from rumors. Maybe one day he will share news about his love life, but for now, he is single.
Controversies: Any Trouble So Far?
Nuwan is known as a calm and well-behaved player. He has not been part of any major controversies. He only faced small talks about fitness because some critics thought his unique action might hurt his shoulder. But he works hard with trainers and keeps himself fit.
There were no off-field fights or bad headlines. He listens to seniors and respects the game. His discipline is one reason why coaches trust him in pressure matches.
Achievements and Records
Nuwan Thushara’s career is still young, but he already has great moments:
✅ Made his T20I debut for Sri Lanka and took important wickets.
✅ Bowled a hat-trick in the Lanka Premier League.
✅ Picked by Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season.
✅ Became known as Sri Lanka’s next sling-action hope after Malinga.
✅ Earned praise from fans and legends for his yorkers and calm mind.
Fun Facts About Nuwan Thushara
- His cricket hero is Lasith Malinga, no surprise!
- He loves to spend time at the beach when not playing cricket.
- He enjoys eating Sri Lankan seafood dishes.
- He likes music and often listens to songs before matches.
- He practices his yorkers by bowling at a single stump.
Future Goals: What’s Next for Nuwan?
Nuwan wants to become Sri Lanka’s best death-over bowler. He dreams of playing in big finals and helping Sri Lanka win trophies. He wants to learn new tricks to keep batsmen confused.
He is working on his fitness, new bowling variations, and wants to play in all formats if possible. He says, “As long as I have this arm, I will bowl my heart out.”
Fans believe that with his talent, hard work, and family support, Nuwan Thushara will shine even brighter in the coming years.
