At just 25 years old, Eshan Malinga has already made his mark in two of the world’s most competitive T20 leagues and earned a spot in Sri Lanka’s international squad.
This article covers everything about Eshan Malinga’s net worth — his salary, contract figures, career earnings, and the journey that got him here.
Eshan Malinga’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kiribathgala Kankanamalage Eshan Malinga Dharmasena |
| Date of Birth | 4 February 2001 |
| Age | 25 years |
| Birthplace | Ratnapura, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Height | Approx. 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Position | Bowler |
| Current Teams | Sri Lanka National Cricket Team; Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL); Paarl Royals (SA20) |
| Jersey No. | 97 |
| Turned Professional | 2022 |
| Net Worth | Approx. ₹2.5 crore (~USD 300,000) |
| IPL Salary | ₹1.20 crore |
| SA20 Contract | R1 million (~USD 55,000) |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
Early Life & Career
Eshan Malinga was born on 4 February 2001 in Ratnapura, a city in Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa Province.
He studied at Sivali Central College in Ratnapura and later at Vidyakara Maha Vidyalaya in Opanayake. Cricket was always part of his life — he played casually with friends near his home before the sport became a serious pursuit at the school level.
His defining school-level moment came in 2019, when he took an astonishing 11 wickets for just 63 runs in the 10th edition of the Ranmini Battle Inter-School Big Match.
That kind of performance at school level turns heads in Sri Lanka, and it quickly placed him on the selectors’ radar.
After school, Malinga joined Ragama Cricket Club and played in the Major League Tournament during the 2022–23 season. He made his T20 debut in the Major Clubs T20 Tournament in 2022, representing the same club.
His raw pace and the ability to nip the ball back into right-handers at awkward angles quickly set him apart in the domestic circuit.
Despite the shared surname, Malinga has no family connection to Sri Lanka’s legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga — a question that surrounds him constantly.
Professional Career
Malinga’s entry into franchise cricket arrived through the Lanka Premier League (LPL), where he played for Colombo Strikers in the 2023 edition before joining Jaffna Kings in 2024.
His LPL performances helped him earn selection for Sri Lanka A and the national emerging team, steadily climbing the cricket ladder.
He also turned out for the Bangla Tigers in the Lanka T10 Super League in 2024, gaining crucial experience in high-intensity, short-format conditions.
Then came the moment that announced him to the global cricket audience — his ODI debut on 5 January 2025 against New Zealand.
The biggest career milestone so far was his selection in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
According to the official IPL website, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured him for ₹1.20 crore — four times his base price of ₹30 lakh — after a spirited bidding battle with Rajasthan Royals.
He wasted no time proving his worth, taking 13 wickets in just 7 matches at an average of 18.90 in his debut IPL season.
SRH were so impressed that they retained him for IPL 2026 at the same ₹1.20 crore price.
He also played for Paarl Royals as a replacement player in SA20 Season 3, which prompted the franchise to sign him at auction for Season 4.
Eshan Malinga’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Eshan Malinga has an estimated net worth of ₹2.5 crore (approximately USD 300,000).
He built this wealth through his IPL contracts with Sunrisers Hyderabad, his SA20 deal with Paarl Royals, and his Lanka Premier League earnings — all accumulated within just a few years of professional cricket.
Contract
IPL – Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad purchased Eshan Malinga at the IPL 2025 mega auction for ₹1.20 crore, starting a bidding war with Rajasthan Royals that drove the price to four times his base of ₹30 lakh.
After an impressive debut season, SRH retained him for the 2026 campaign at the same price of ₹1.20 crore, confirming his role as one of their trusted overseas seamers.
SA20 – Paarl Royals
The Paarl Royals franchise signed Eshan Malinga at the 2025 SA20 player auction for R1 million, equivalent to approximately USD 55,000.
He had previously played for the team as a replacement player in SA20 Season 3, and the franchise were clearly satisfied enough to secure him on a full contract for Season 4.
Lanka Premier League
Malinga represented Jaffna Kings in the LPL, with his contract estimated at around ₹60 lakh. He had earlier played for Colombo Strikers during the 2023 LPL season before switching teams.
Salary
Malinga earns ₹1.20 crore per IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, bringing his total IPL earnings across 2025 and 2026 to ₹2.40 crore.
His SA20 deal adds approximately ₹46 lakh per season to his income. On top of this, he receives national team match fees from Cricket Sri Lanka for his ODI and T20I appearances, along with domestic cricket earnings.
His total annual cricket income in 2026 is estimated at well above ₹2 crore when combining all sources.
Career Earnings by Year
| Year | League / Tournament | Team | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Major League Tournament (Sri Lanka) | Ragama CC | Domestic fees |
| 2023 | Lanka Premier League | Colombo Strikers | Not disclosed |
| 2024 | Lanka Premier League | Jaffna Kings | ~₹60 lakh |
| 2024 | SA20 Season 3 (Replacement) | Paarl Royals | Not disclosed |
| 2025 | IPL Season | Sunrisers Hyderabad | ₹1.20 crore |
| 2026 | IPL Season | Sunrisers Hyderabad | ₹1.20 crore |
| 2026 | SA20 Season 4 | Paarl Royals | R1 million (~₹46 lakh) |
Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 7 | 4 | 55.75 | 6.03 | 3/35 |
| T20I | 8 | 8 | 26.88 | 9.42 | 2/24 |
| IPL | 10 | 16 | 19.81 | 9.14 | 3/31 |
| First-Class | 14 | 28 | 32.32 | — | 6/67 |
| List A | 7 | 12 | 24.16 | — | 5/49 |
FAQs
What is Eshan Malinga’s net worth?
Eshan Malinga’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹2.5 crore (around USD 300,000). He earned this primarily through his IPL deal with SRH, his SA20 contract with Paarl Royals, and LPL earnings.
How much does Eshan Malinga earn in the IPL?
He earns ₹1.20 crore per IPL season playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH retained him at this price for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, bringing his total IPL income to ₹2.40 crore.
Is Eshan Malinga related to Lasith Malinga?
No, Eshan Malinga is not related to Sri Lankan fast-bowling legend Lasith Malinga. They simply share the same surname, which is common in certain regions of Sri Lanka.
Which teams does Eshan Malinga play?
He plays for Sri Lanka internationally, Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, and Paarl Royals in SA20. Domestically in Sri Lanka, he represents Ragama Cricket Club.
When did Eshan Malinga make his international debut?
Eshan Malinga made his ODI debut on 5 January 2025 against New Zealand, marking his first senior international appearance for the Sri Lanka cricket team.
