Dhananjaya Maduranga de Silva, popularly known as Dhananjaya de Silva, is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer who has significantly contributed to the sport in his country.
Born on September 6, 1991, in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, de Silva has showcased his skills in all game formats, earning him a reputation as a versatile and reliable player.
The right-handed batter, right-arm off-break bowler is named in the 15-man Sri Lanka squad for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.
This article delves into the life and career of Dhananjaya de Silva, his net worth, salary, career earnings, stats, wife, and more.
About Dhananjaya de Silva
Dhananjaya de Silva was born on September 6, 1991, in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. He is the second son of his family.
His father, Ranjan de Silva, was tragically shot dead in 2018, an event that deeply affected Dhananjaya and led him to withdraw from a West Indies tour.
De Silva’s cricketing journey began at a young age, and he quickly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional talent.
He is a right-handed batsman and a handy off-spin bowler, making him a valuable all-rounder for his team.
His technical skills and versatility have earned him a spot in all game formats for the Sri Lankan national side.
Domestic Career
In domestic cricket, Dhananjaya de Silva plays for Tamil Union. Following a successful domestic season, he first caught the national selectors’ eye in 2015.
He topped the batting charts in the Super T20 Provincial Tournament in early 2016, hitting 234 runs at a strike rate of 133 in six innings.
Later that year, he was the star of Tamil Union’s first victorious first-class campaign in 55 years, hitting 868 runs at 54.20, which included a crucial fourth-innings 121 in the match that clinched his team the title.
International Career
Dhananjaya de Silva debuted in international cricket in 2015, starting with the Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for their series against Pakistan.
His Test debut came a year later, in July 2016, against Australia.
In his Test career, de Silva has played 51 matches and scored 3,301 runs, with an average of 40. He has hit 399 fours and 28 sixes in his Test career.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), de Silva has played 84 matches to date and has scored 1,761 runs, with an average of 26. He has hit 177 fours and 13 sixes in his ODI career.
In T20Is, de Silva has played 39 matches to date and scored 731 runs, averaging 21. He has hit 61 fours and 16 sixes in his T20 career.
In November 2017, he was named the Test batsman of the year for the 2016–17 season at Sri Lanka Cricket’s annual awards.
Lankan Premier League Career
In the Lankan Premier League, Dhananjaya plays as an all-rounder for the Colombo Stars. His batting style is right-handed, and he bowls right-arm off-break.
Dhananjaya de Silva’s Net Worth Details
Dhananjaya de Silva’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million as of 2025. The all-round cricketer’s prime source of earnings is his Sri Lanka Cricket salary, franchise league fees, and sponsorship deals.
Salary and Career Earnings
As of 2023, Dhananjaya is one of the top earners in the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, holding an A1 category contract.
This contract entitles him to a base salary of $100,000 annually.
In addition to his base salary, de Silva receives additional payments for each Test, ODI, and T20I match he plays. Specifically, he earns $7,500 for each Test match, $5,500 for each ODI, and $3,500 for each T20I.
| Source | Amount |
| Base Salary (Sri Lanka Cricket Board) | $100,000 annually |
| Test Match Fee | $7,500 per match |
| ODI Match Fee | $5,500 per match |
| T20I Match Fee | $3,500 per match |
| Estimated Net Worth (2023) | $3 million |
Personal Details
| Full name | Dhananjaya Maduranga de Silva |
| Nickname | de Silva |
| Birth date | September 6, 1991 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | – |
| Birthplace | Hambantota, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Current net worth | $3 Million |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Wife | Sanduni Nisansala |
| Instagram profile | @dhananjaya_75 |
Wife
Dhananjaya de Silva is married to Sanduni Nisansala. The couple embarked on their marital journey on December 3, 2018. The couple is blessed with a daughter.
Sanduni Nisansala often supports her husband during his cricket matches and is integral to his life. Dhananjaya often shares his love and appreciation for his wife on social media.
For instance, in a post on Instagram, he expressed his love for Sanduni, stating, “You are the woman who made our family so strong. I love you, and I truly hope you are…”
How Old is He?
Dhananjaya is 32 years old.
How Tall is He?
He is 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall.
What is his nationality?
He is of Sri Lankan nationality.
Career Stats
The career stats of Dhananjaya de Silva as of 2023 are as follows.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average |
| Test | 51 | 3,301 | 40 |
| ODI | 84 | 1,761 | 26 |
| T20I | 39 | 731 | 21 |
FAQs
Who is Dhananjaya de Silva?
Dhananjaya de Silva is a professional cricketer from Sri Lanka known for his skills as a batsman and occasional bowler.
What is Dhananjaya de Silva’s full name?
Dhananjaya Maduranga de Silva.
What is Dhananjaya de Silva’s playing role in cricket?
Dhananjaya de Silva is a right-handed batsman and bowls off-spin.
When did Dhananjaya de Silva start playing cricket professionally?
Dhananjaya de Silva started his professional cricket career in Sri Lanka, where he played domestic cricket.
Which domestic teams has Dhananjaya de Silva played for?
Dhananjaya de Silva has played for various domestic teams in Sri Lanka, including in first-class and limited-overs formats.
Has Dhananjaya de Silva represented Sri Lanka in international cricket?
Yes, Dhananjaya de Silva has represented Sri Lanka in all three formats of international cricket (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is).
What are Dhananjaya de Silva’s strengths as a cricketer?
Dhananjaya de Silva is known for his solid technique, ability to play long innings, and effectiveness with the ball as a part-time off-spinner.
Has Dhananjaya de Silva won any titles or championships in cricket?
Information about any accolades, awards, or championships he has won.
Is Dhananjaya de Silva involved in any charitable activities or community work?
Information about any philanthropic efforts or community involvement he participates in.
What are Dhananjaya de Silva’s career aspirations in cricket?
Dhananjaya de Silva aims to continue contributing to the Sri Lankan national team’s success, perform consistently across formats, and excel in all aspects of the game.
