13 Facts about Upul Tharanga: The perfect opening partner

Sri Lankan batsman Upul Tharanga is highly regarded as one of the best opening batsmen from his country. The 31-year old who represented Sri Lanka from 2005 has amassed over 5000 runs in ODIs. In spite of not being as successful in tests, Tharanga has earned a reputation of being a flashy opener with a calm personality. He has been considered by many as the perfect replacement for former Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya.

1. Born

Upul Tharanga was born in the coastal city of Balapitiya in the South West of Sri Lanka on the 2^nd of February 1985.

2. Early Life

Tharanga was educated in the famous Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda. His cricketing talents were noticed at an early age when Tharanga began playing for the Nondescripts at the age of 15. His junior level cricket career was epitomized by his performance in the U-19 Cricket World Cup in 2004. In spite of Sri Lanka not making a mark on the tournament, Tharanga scored a massive century of 117 and a half century of 61 in the tournament.

3. Nickname

Tharanga is also known as ‘Upula’ among his close friends and colleagues.

4. 200-plus partnership in ODI Cricket

Upul Tharanga has a unique feat of being involved in seven 200 plus run partnerships, a record that stands to this day. The only other player to be involved in seven of those partnerships is former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.

5. In the Sanath Jayasuriya mold

Sanath Jayasuriya began to reach the twilight of his career as 2005 loomed over the horizon. As the Sri Lankans scratched their heads for replacements, the solution dropped into their laps almost instantly. Upul Tharanga’s class and technique seemed to be the perfect answer to their problems. Tons of praises from pundits and Jayasuriya himself is the perfect illustration of Tharanga’s immense talent.

6. A ‘Rags to riches’ story

2005 proved to be a mixed year for Upul Tharanga. As he received his first ever call-up to the Sri Lankan senior side, the waves of the Tsunami had its effect on a young Upul Tharanga. Having washed away most of his childhood home, Tharanga’s cricketing gear was heavily damaged in the floods. However, Kumar Sangakkara came to the rescue as his kit was replaced by the former Sri Lankan wicket-keeping batsman.

7. The Doping Scandal

In the semifinal of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup against New Zealand, Tharanga was found guilty of consuming an unauthorized drug. Metabolites of two glucocorticosteroids – prednisone and prednisolone were the drugs found in his system following a urine sample submitted to the WADA by Tharanga. A tribunal set up by the ICC eventually found Tharanga guilty thus banning him for a period of three months following the 2011 World Cup.

8. ODI Debut and Stats

Tharanga made his debut in 2005 at Dambulla against New Zealand. He failed to make an impression as he was dismissed by Ian Butler for 6 in a decisive 50 run win for the Lankans. However, Tharanga has amassed 5407 runs in 180 ODIS with an average of 33. His highest ODI score came against India in Kingston, Jamaica where he put the Indian bowling attack to the sword, scoring a massive 174 not out in a massive 161 run win.

9.Test Debut and Stats

Upul Tharanga hasn’t been as successful in tests as he is in ODIs. Having acquired just over 1000 runs, his average reads a poultry 30. His only test century came against Bangladesh at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, Bangladesh. He scored a magnificent 165 in a Sri Lankan win.

10. Scarcity of playing international cricket

Upul Tharanga had an 8-year scarcity playing test cricket. The wait however, was broken when he was included in the squad for the 3rd Test against Pakistan in 2015. He replaced Kumar Sangakkara and also batted at no.3. His scarcity from ODIs too was broken when he replaced Sangakkara once again the same series.

11. Strong performances in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

The 2011 ICC World Cup played in the subcontinent saw Tharanga in the form of his life. His best innings came against England in the quarterfinal. He and fellow opening partner Tillakaratne Dilshan stitched a magnificent and imperishable partnership that eventually took the game away from England.

12. Involvement in domestic cricket

Upul Tharanga has had a fairly successful domestic career, scoring over 7000 runs with an average almost touching 40. He also boasts of a double century. Tharanga has played for the Nondescripts since 2003, making him one of the longest-serving players.

13. Asian Games Gold Medal

Tharanga also has the rare achievement of having won a gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games. Having represented the Sri Lankans during his cricketing exile, Tharanga helped the Lankans secure gold in Incheon. The Sri Lankans sent out a strong side for the Incheon Games with their squad including the likes of Dinesh Chandimal, Isuru Udana, Ashan Priyanjan and Tharanga.