Nuwan Pradeep

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Nuwan Pradeep

| image =

| country = Sri Lanka

| fullname = Aththachchi Nuwan Pradeep Roshan Fernando

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|10|19|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Negombo, Sri Lanka

| nickname = Sirasa

| heightft =

| heightinch =

| heightm = 1.89

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right-arm fast

| family =

| role = Bowler

| international = true

| internationalspan = 2011–2022

| testdebutdate = 18 October

| testdebutyear = 2011

| testdebutagainst = Pakistan

| testcap = 119

| lasttestdate = 6 October

| lasttestyear = 2017

| lasttestagainst = Pakistan

| odidebutdate = 31 July

| odidebutyear = 2012

| odidebutagainst = India

| odicap = 153

| lastodidate = 18 January

| lastodiyear = 2022

| lastodiagainst = Zimbabwe

| odishirt = 63

| T20Idebutagainst = England

| T20Idebutdate = 5 July

| T20Idebutyear = 2016

| T20Icap = 65

| lastT20Idate = 23 June

| lastT20Iyear = 2021

| lastT20Iagainst = England

| club1 = Burgher Recreation Club

| year1 = 2007–2008

| club2 = Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club

| year2 = 2008–2011

| club3 = Basnahira North

| year3 = 2009–2010

| club4 = Ruhuna

| year4 = 2011

| club5 = Kandy Tuskers

| year5 = 2020

| columns = 4

| column1 = Test

| matches1 = 28

| runs1 = 132

| bat avg1 = 4.00

| 100s/50s1 = 0/0

| top score1 = 17*

| deliveries1 = 5,077

| wickets1 = 70

| bowl avg1 = 42.90

| fivefor1 = 1

| tenfor1 = 0

| best bowling1 = 6/132

| catches/stumpings1 = 5/0

| column2 = ODI

| matches2 = 49

| runs2 = 35

| bat avg2 = 4.37

| 100s/50s2 = 0/0

| top score2 = 7

| deliveries2 = 2,345

| wickets2 = 63

| bowl avg2 = 37.12

| fivefor2 = 0

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 4/31

| catches/stumpings2 = 7/0

| column3 = T20I

| matches3 = 16

| runs3 = 10

| bat avg3 = 10.00

| 100s/50s3 = 0/0

| top score3 = 8*

| deliveries3 = 278

| wickets3 = 15

| bowl avg3 = 29.06

| fivefor3 = 0

| tenfor3 = 0

| best bowling3 = 4/25

| catches/stumpings3 = 2/0

| column4 = FC

| matches4 = 103

| runs4= 408

| bat avg4= 5.36

| 100s/50s4= 0/0

| top score4= 37*

| deliveries4 = 13,260

| wickets4 = 242

| bowl avg4 = 33.17

| fivefor4 = 6

| tenfor4 = 0

| best bowling4 = 7/52

| catches/stumpings4= 36/–

| date = 4 April 2025

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/324358.html ESPNcricinfo

|club6=Dambulla Giants|year6=2021-present}}

Aththachchi Nuwan Pradeep Roshan Fernando ({{langx|si|නුවන් ප්‍රදීප්}}; born 19 October 1986), commonly known as Nuwan Pradeep, is a Sri Lankan former international cricketer, currently playing in Lanka Premier League from Dambulla Sixers Franchise.{{Cite web|title=Stranded on 99, and stranded on four|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ask-steven-stranded-on-99-and-stranded-on-four-1095313|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} Despite being a national cricketer, he had never actually played the game until he was 20 and most importantly never played with leather ball until his 20s.{{Cite web|title=Pradeep makes his stand|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/jarrod-kimber-nuwan-pradeep-makes-his-stand-753105|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Nuwan Pradeep. Stats, Bio, Facts and Career Info|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/players/nuwan-pradeep/ge0itgkr4EOIx5xQrKCGBg|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.cricket.com.au|language=en}} He shot into prominence after winning a bowling speed contest in 2007 and he was sent to Sri Lanka's Cricket Academy and also went onto earn a national test call up less than 3 years later.{{Cite web|title=Nuwan Pradeep|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/champions-trophy/players/505|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.icc-cricket.com|language=en}} He is regarded as the most unconventional find of Sri Lanka cricket.{{Cite web|title=Nuwan Pradeep Profile - ICC Ranking, Age, Career Info & Stats|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/6730/nuwan-pradeep|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Cricbuzz|language=en}}

Early life

Pradeep was born in Negombo, Western Province and grew up in the multilingual fishing neighbourhood in Negombo.{{Cite web|title=Cricket can't undo the horrors of the bombings, but it can be a balm to Sri Lanka|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/andrew-fernando-cricket-can-t-undo-the-horrors-of-the-bombings-but-it-can-be-a-balm-to-sri-lanka-1186389|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He was a product of soft ball cricket when he grew up in his young days.

Domestic career

In 2011, he was surprisingly picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2011 Indian Premier League even before his international debut.{{Cite web|title=Sri Lankan cricketers to leave IPL on May 5|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-news-sri-lankan-cricketers-to-leave-ipl-on-may-5-510938|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} However, he did not play in any matches.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

In March 2019, he was named in Kandy's squad for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.thepapare.com/squads-fixtures-announced-for-slc-provincial-50-overs-tournament-2019/ |title=Squads, Fixtures announced for SLC Provincial 50 Overs Tournament |work=The Papare |date=19 March 2019 |access-date=19 March 2019}} In October 2020, he was drafted by the Kandy Tuskers for the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30148161/lanka-premier-league-2020-chris-gayle-andre-russell-shahid-afridi-big-names-taken-lpl-draft |title=Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Shahid Afridi among big names taken at LPL draft |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 October 2020}} In August 2021, he was named in the SLC Greys team for the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.thepapare.com/slc-invitational-t20-league-2021-squads-schedule/ |title=Sri Lanka Cricket announce Invitational T20 squads and schedule |work=The Papare |date=4 August 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021}} In November 2021, he was selected to play for the Dambulla Giants following the players' draft for the 2021 Lanka Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/kusal-perera-angelo-mathews-miss-out-on-lpl-drafts-1288554 |title=Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews miss out on LPL drafts |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 November 2021}} In July 2022, he was signed by the Dambulla Giants for the third edition of the Lanka Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lpl-2022-draft-kandy-falcons-sign-wanindu-hasaranga-bhanuka-rajapaksa-to-turn-out-for-dambulla-giants-1323338 |title=LPL 2022 draft: Kandy Falcons sign Hasaranga; Rajapaksa to turn out for Dambulla Giants |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=6 July 2022}}

Having represented the Sri Lanka Police cricket team that won joint champion status in the 2023 Sri Lanka Cricket first-class competition, Pradeep was appointed to the police service in the rank of inspector of police (IP).{{cite news |title=Four Sri Lankan cricketers join Sri Lanka Police |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Four-Sri-Lankan-cricketers-join-Sri-Lanka-Police/108-274579#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20Kusal%20Janith%20Perera%20and,have%20joined%20as%20Police%20Inspectors. |access-date=10 January 2024 |publisher=Daily Mirror}}

International career

In 2010, Pradeep was called up to the Sri Lankan squad for the second Test against India. He was selected to Sri Lankan provisional squad for the test tour to England in 2011 and he took 4/29 in the warmup match against England Lions as Sri Lanka won it by 38 runs.{{Cite news|title=Sri Lanka overcome England Lions|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/13493684|access-date=2021-07-01}} However, he was ruled out prior to the test series after suffering injury.{{Cite news|title=Sri Lanka hit by Pradeep injury|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/13519485|access-date=2021-07-01}}{{Cite web|title=Nuwan Pradeep set to fly home|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-in-england-2011-nuwan-pradeep-set-to-fly-home-516431|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He was also initially selected in Sri Lankan squad for the test tour of South Africa in 2011 but was ruled out due to hamstring tear.{{Cite web|title=Pradeep flies home with injury|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-news-pradeep-flies-home-with-injury-545112|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}

In 2011 he was again selected to the national Test squad, in the tournament against Pakistan in the UAE.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/squad/533236.html|title=Sri Lankan test squad|access-date=24 September 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/story/533237.html|title=Samaraweera dropped for Pakistan Tests|access-date=24 September 2011}} He made his Test debut against Pakistan in October 2011, at the age of 24 but did not take a wicket on debut.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-sri-lanka-2011/engine/current/match/530424.html First Test: Pakistan v Sri Lanka] – espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 23 October 2011.

He became an in and out pace bowler for Sri Lanka due to most of the injuries. Despite the fact, he is one of the fastest bowlers ever found on current Sri Lanka squad. He took his first international wicket by dismissing Mohammad Ayub of Pakistan on 25 June 2012 at Galle International Stadium.{{Cite web|title=Nuwan Pradeep: Sri Lanka's latest maverick|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/nuwan-pradeep-sri-lanka-s-latest-maverick-617996|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}{{cite web |url=http://www.islandcricket.lk/afp/photos/srilankacricket/18580/nuwan-pradeep-celebrates-his-first-test-wicket |title=(Photos) Nuwan Pradeep celebrates his first Test wicket. Sri Lanka. Cricket |website=www.islandcricket.lk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930123459/http://www.islandcricket.lk/afp/photos/srilankacricket/18580/nuwan-pradeep-celebrates-his-first-test-wicket |archive-date=2014-09-30}} After the tour of New Zealand in 2014/15 season, Pradeep showcased his bowling abilities, which sealed him in the permanent spot in Test squad. He became a bowling partner of Dhammika Prasad in Test cricket.

He was also known for being stranded in a famous test match draw against England at Lord's in June 2014, where he batted to save the test match for Sri Lanka with just one wicket left.{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of England vs Sri Lanka 1st Investec Test 2014 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-england-and-ireland-2014-667875/england-vs-sri-lanka-1st-investec-test-667899/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Sri Lanka cling on for dramatic draw|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-england-and-ireland-2014-667875/england-vs-sri-lanka-1st-investec-test-667899/match-report|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}} He survived five deliveries in the final over of the match bowled by Stuart Broad.{{Cite web|title=Five last-over thrillers in Tests from the 2010s|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/five-last-over-thrillers-in-tests-from-the-2010s-1227360|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}

On 5 July 2016 he made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Sri Lanka against England.{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/913633.html | title=Sri Lanka tour of England and Ireland, Only T20I: England v Sri Lanka at Southampton, Jul 5, 2016 | access-date=5 July 2016| work= ESPNcricinfo}}

On 28 December 2016 he took the 10,000th lbw in Test cricket, when he dismissed Hashim Amla during Sri Lanka's tour to South Africa.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-sri-lanka-2016-17/content/story/1074363.html |title=Cook century drives South Africa's dominance |access-date=28 December 2016 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1074303.html |title=Marshall's lbw bunny, and a Darling who never got that way |access-date=28 December 2016 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} However, Pradeep was injured during the second T20I against South Africa and was sent to Sri Lanka.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-sri-lanka-2016-17/content/story/1079105.html |title=Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka |access-date=23 January 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}

After injury, Pradeep was re-called for the India tour in July 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2017/content/story/1112295.html |title=Dhananjaya, Pradeep return to Sri Lanka's Test squad |access-date=23 July 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} In the first match of the series, he took his maiden Test five-wicket haul at Galle International Stadium. His bowling performance in the match was highly praised by commentators as well. However, finally Sri Lanka lost the match by 304 runs.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2017/content/story/1112690.html |title=Pradeep's miserly resurgence amid Sri Lanka's continued misery |access-date=26 July 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2017/content/story/1112747.html |title=India run through top order after amassing 600 |access-date=27 July 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} However, during the day two of second test, Pradeep was injured and did not bowl further throughout the match. He did bat in both innings, but was released from the remaining matches of the series.

on 13 December 2017, during the second ODI against India at Mohali, Pradeep conceded 106 runs in his 10 overs. This is the worst bowling figures by a Sri Lankan in ODIs and joint third-most by a bowler in an ODI. In the match, Rohit Sharma scored his third ODI double century and Sri Lanka lost the match by 141 runs.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21754742/three-double-hundreds-others-four-double-hundreds |title=Rohit: three double-hundreds; Others: four |access-date=13 December 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo}} He was also part of the Sri Lankan team at the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

In May 2018, he was one of 33 cricketers to be awarded a national contract by Sri Lanka Cricket ahead of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/692671 |title=Sri Lanka assign 33 national contracts with pay hike |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=22 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/23570424/sri-lankan-players-receive-pay-hike |title=Sri Lankan players to receive pay hike |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 May 2018}}

He was included for the ODI squad for the Scotland tour prior to World Cup in 2019. In the second ODI, he took a four-wicket haul by restricting Scottish total to 199. Sri Lanka won the match by 35 runs in DLS method. Pradeep won his first man of the match award for the bowling performance.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18661/report/1169332/scotland-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-odi-sl-in-eng-and-scot-2019 |title=Pradeep leads the way as Sri Lanka break win-less streak |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 May 2019}}

In April 2019, he was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26550814/lahiru-thirimanne-milinda-siriwardana-jeffrey-vandersay-picked-sri-lanka-world-cup-squad |title=Thirimanne, Siriwardana, Vandersay picked in World Cup squad |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 April 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1187360 |title=Jeevan Mendis, Siriwardana, Vandersay make comebacks in Sri Lanka World Cup squad |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=18 April 2019}} During second match in the World Cup, Pradeep delivered a match-winning bowling spell against Afghanistan to take four wickets for 31 runs.{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8039/report/1144489/afghanistan-vs-sri-lanka-7th-match-icc-cricket-world-cup-2019 |title=Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Malinga bowl Sri Lanka to scrappy win |work=ESPNcricinfo}} Sri Lanka won the match by 34 runs, with Pradeep was named man of the match.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8039/scorecard/1144489/afghanistan-vs-sri-lanka-7th-match-icc-cricket-world-cup-2019 |title=Full Scorecard of Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka|work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 June 2019}} However, Pradeep was ruled out of Sri Lanka's last two matches of the tournament, after contracting chickenpox. He was replaced by Kasun Rajitha.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1259079 |title=Nuwan Pradeep ruled out of CWC19 through illness |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=29 June 2019}}{{Cite web|title=Nuwan Pradeep ruled out of Bangladesh game after blow to bowling hand|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/nuwan-pradeep-ruled-out-of-bangladesh-game-after-blow-to-bowling-hand-1188038|access-date=2021-07-01|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}

In the third ODI against West Indies on 1 March 2020, Pradeep bowled only 4.3 overs in Pallkelle, after injuring his hamstring. He did not com back to the field after the injury. Therefore, he is out for at least six weeks and missed the T20I series against West Indies and Tests against England.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28821140/nuwan-pradeep-dhananjaya-de-silva-west-indies-t20is |title=Nuwan Pradeep, Dhananjaya de Silva out of West Indies T20Is |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=4 March 2020}}

In September 2021, Pradeep was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2248532 |title=Theekshana, Jayawickrema make the cut as Sri Lanka announce T20 World Cup squad |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=12 September 2021}}

Personal life

Pradeep is married to his longtime partner, Nilakshi Champika. Their wedding was celebrated on 7 May 2015.{{Citation|title=( STUDIO ART NEGOMBO )TEST CRICKETER, NUWAN PRADEEP & NILAKSHI CHAMPIKA WEDDING DAY PHOTOS|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYrxdUe5P6E|language=en|access-date=2021-07-01}}{{Cite web|title=Studio ART Photography.|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=858388107561189&id=173760939357246|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}}