Blessed with a powerful forearm, the left-handed pocket dynamo is virtually unstoppable when he is at his best. Idolising the legendary Sanath Jayasuriya, the diminutive batsman has also adapted his batting style along the lines of the icon and guarantees full value for money for as long as he stays at the crease. Usually playing at No.3 in the side, he has also donned the opener's role in the past and will form a core part of the Sri Lankan squad in its pursuit for global domination in England in 2019.
Sri Lanka won a thriller in Nelson by seven runs to avoid a whitewash as Kusal Perera dropped an innings for the ages at the start of the New Year on Thursday afternoon against New Zealand. Rachin Ravindra with an attacking fifty fought the lone battle as New Zealand won the series 2-1.
Kusal Perera made 23 in the 136-run chase in the first T20I against New Zealand. He shattered a record of compatriot Tillakaratne Dilshan during his knock, which also helped Sri Lanka beat the Kiwis by 4 wickets.
India will look to seal the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka 3-0 as they take on the hosts in the finale on Tuesday, July 30 in Pallekele. Sri Lanka, especially their top-order batters, have fought hard but the middle-order collapses in the first T20Is haven't helped their cause.
Australia have two points to their credit after three games in the ongoing ODI World Cup and are placed eighth above Sri Lanka and the Netherlands. They will take on Pakistan in their upcoming fixture at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 20.
Australia are desperate to get a win under their belt as they are languishing at the bottom of the points table with a net run rate of -1.846. They lost their opening fixture against the Men in Blue at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Perera tested positive in a RT-PCR test carried out on the players before the commencement of training for the upcoming series against South Africa in Colombo.
Perera was the captain of the Sri Lankan team in England but since the central contract dispute between players and the cricket board, Dasun Shanaka has been appointed captain at his expense.
Perera almost single-handedly won the game but No. 11 batsman Vishwa Fernando played a crucial role as he hung around for 27 balls for his 6 not out to allow Perera, with nothing to lose.
Kusal Perera's unbeaten 158 took Sri Lanka to a stunning 1-wicket victory against South Africa as he put up a 78-run partnership for the last wicket to seal a sensational win in Durban.
Sri Lanka captain Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara took three wickets each as the Windies squandered their opportunity to bat the tourists out of the game.