Niroshan Dickwella

Educated at Trinity College, Kandy, he showcased exceptional leadership early in his career by captaining his school side to a historic "triple crown" during the 2011-12 season, including a Big Match victory over St. Anthony's. His stellar performances earned him the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award in 2012. An aggressive left-handed wicketkeeper-batter known for his unconventional strokeplay, sweeps, and energetic presence behind the stumps, he swiftly transitioned into professional domestic cricket with Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC).

Dickwella made a memorable international debut for Sri Lanka during the 2014 Test series against South Africa at the Sinhalese Sports Club, scoring 72 in his maiden Test innings. He earned his ODI debut against India later that year and made his T20I debut against India in February 2016. His dynamic approach at the top of the order made him a crucial white-ball option for Sri Lanka in the late 2010s, highlighted by strong performances during the 2017 Champions Trophy and home series against Zimbabwe and India.

Despite his talent, Dickwella's career was frequently marked by inconsistency and off-field disciplinary setbacks. In July 2021, he was handed a one-year international ban alongside team-mates Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka for breaching COVID-19 bio-bubble protocols in Durham during Sri Lanka's tour of England. Following the revocation of the ban early in 2022, he returned to the national squad for several Test and limited-overs assignments.

Dickwella continued to be an active fixture in domestic and franchise leagues, captaining Galle Marvels in the 2024 Lanka Premier League (LPL). In August 2024, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) suspended him after he tested positive for a prohibited substance in a random anti-doping test conducted during the LPL. Initially handed a three-year ban, he filed a successful appeal demonstrating that the substance was consumed out-of-competition and without performance-enhancing intent. In December 2024, the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) reduced his suspension to three months, clearing him to return to competitive cricket immediately.

Following the lifting of his suspension, Dickwella returned to domestic cricket for NCC and continued his franchise career in the Lanka Premier League. His persistent runs and glovework in the domestic circuit earned him a recall to Sri Lanka's Test squad, making his international return during Sri Lanka's home Test series against India in August 2026, where he struck a gritty 90 at Galle International Stadium. He was then selected for the Asian Games 2026 squad bound to Japan.