Kusal Perera, born in Sri Lanka, made his international debut on 26 January 2013 in an ODI against Australia and has since become one of the most impactful left-handed batters for his country. Although his stint in the Indian Premier League was limited to just one appearance for Rajasthan Royals in 2013, he has carved out a big reputation in international cricket.
Perera is widely remembered for his unbeaten 153 against South Africa in Durban, an iconic knock hailed as one of the greatest fourth-innings performances in Test history. In the Asia Cup 2025, he stands as one of the main batting pillars for Sri Lanka, forming a crucial partnership with Kusal Mendis as the team looks to make a strong impact on the continental stage.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mathurage Don Kusal Janith Perera |
| Nickname | Panda, Podi Sana |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Date of Birth | 17 August 1990 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 35 years |
| Place of Birth | Kalubowila, Sri Lanka |
Kusal Janith Perera, whose full name is Mathurage Don Kusal Janith Perera, is often called Panda or Podi Sana by fans and teammates. Born on 17 August 1990 in Kalubowila, Sri Lanka, he has built his cricketing journey over the years and, at 35 years old in 2025, remains a vital presence in Sri Lankan cricket. His 5 feet 6 inches frame has never limited his game, as he is known for his fearless stroke play and big-match temperament.
Cricket Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-break |
| Primary Role | Wicketkeeper-batsman |
He is a left-handed batter and a wicketkeeper-batsman, best known for his attacking style and match-winning knocks for Sri Lanka.
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Jersey Number
| Format | Jersey Number |
|---|---|
| International | 55 |
| IPL | 55 |
Kusal Perera wears the jersey number 55 both in international cricket and during his brief stint in the IPL.
Debuts Dates
| Format | Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 13 January 2013 | Australia | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| T20I | 26 January 2013 | Australia | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Test | 28 August 2015 | Pakistan | Dubai, UAE |
| IPL | 2013 Season | — | IPL Venues |
He made his ODI debut on 13 January 2013 against Australia in Colombo, followed soon after by his T20I debut on 26 January 2013 at the same venue. His Test journey began on 28 August 2015 against Pakistan in Dubai. In the 2013 IPL season, he featured in a single game across the league’s venues.
IPL Salary
| Year | Team | Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Rajasthan Royals | ₹1.5 crore (approx.) |
| 2014-2025 | – – – – – – – – – – – – | – – – – – – – – – – – – |
In the 2013 IPL season, he was picked by Rajasthan Royals for a salary of around ₹1.5 crore, marking his only appearance in the league. From 2014 onwards, he has not been part of any IPL team.
Net Worth
| Aspect | Value (INR) / Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | ₹14 crore approx. |
| Net Worth in USD | USD 1.7 million |
| Primary Income Source | Sri Lanka Cricket central contract, match fees (Tests, ODIs, T20Is) |
| Franchise/League Earnings | IPL 2013 (₹1.5 crore), other T20 leagues (undisclosed amounts) |
| Endorsements | Limited brand endorsements and sponsorships |
| Properties | House in Sri Lanka (₹3 crore approx.) |
| Investments | Various private investments (details not disclosed) |
| Cars | Not publicly revealed |
| Lifestyle | Maintains a simple lifestyle, not very flashy compared to other cricketers |
In 2025, Kusal Perera’s net worth is estimated at ₹14 crore (USD 1.7 million), built mainly through his Sri Lanka Cricket contracts, match fees, and limited franchise earnings. Along with a house worth around ₹3 crore in Sri Lanka and private investments, he maintains a simple lifestyle away from the spotlight.
Teams Played For
| Team | Years Active |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka National Team | 2013–Present |
| Rajasthan Royals (IPL) | 2013 |
| Cumilla Warriors (BPL) | 2019-2020 |
| Kandy Tuskers (LPL) | 2020 |
| Colombo Stars (LPL) | 2021 |
| Galle Gladiators (LPL) | 2022 |
| MI Emirates (ILT20) | 2023-2025 |
| Lahore Qalandars (PSL) | 2024-2025 |
Over the years, Kusal Perera has featured in several domestic and international franchise leagues apart from his long-standing career with the Sri Lanka National Team (2013–Present). He made his IPL entry with Rajasthan Royals in 2013, later representing teams like Cumilla Warriors in the Bangladesh Premier League (2019–2020) and Kandy Tuskers in the Lanka Premier League (2020). His LPL journey also includes stints with the Colombo Stars (2021) and Galle Gladiators (2022). More recently, he has been part of MI Emirates in the ILT20 (2023–2025) and the Lahore Qalandars in the PSL (2024–2025), showcasing his versatility across global T20 tournaments.
Education
| Level | Institution |
|---|---|
| School | Royal College, Colombo |
| Other Education | Kottawa Dharmapala Maha Vidyalaya (early schooling) |
Complete Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Batting Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | High Score | Wickets (bowling) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 42 | 2300+ | 34.0 | 55-60 | 2 | 15 | 153* | 0 |
| ODI | 112 | 3200+ | 33.5 | ~80 | 6 | 24 | 122 | 0 |
| T20I | 64 | 2000+ | 31.5 | 135 | 1 | 12 | 104 | 0 |
Kusal Perera’s career-defining moment came in Durban in February 2019, when he played one of the greatest fourth-innings knocks in Test history. Chasing 304 against South Africa, Sri Lanka were down and out at 226 for 9, but Perera refused to give in. With sheer grit and breathtaking stroke play, he added an unbeaten 78-run partnership for the last wicket with Vishwa Fernando. His 153 not out off 200 balls, filled with fearless sixes and audacious shots against a world-class pace attack, stunned South Africa and secured a famous one-wicket win for Sri Lanka.
Career Highlights
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Part of Sri Lanka’s ICC World T20 Winning Team |
| 2017 | Scored 153* in historic Test chase vs South Africa |
| 2015 | Second-fastest ODI fifty for Sri Lanka (17 balls) |
| 2025 | Scored T20I century (44 balls), fastest for SL |
| Multiple | Centuries in all three international formats |
Major Trophies & Awards
| Year | Competition | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ICC World Twenty20 | Winner with SL team |
| 2017 | Test Series vs South Africa | Player of the Match (153*) |
| 2025 | IPL Player of the Match (PSL) | Match-winning performances |
Additional Achievements
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Domestic Record | Scored 330 off 270 balls in first-class cricket |
| PSL Impact | Key performances with Lahore Qalandars |
| Lanka Premier League | Over 800 runs across three teams, including a century |
| ILT20 | 527 runs for MI Emirates |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Kusal Perera’s height?
Kusal Perera’s height is 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm).
What is Kusal Perera’s age as of now?
As of 2025, Kusal Perera is 35 years old.
What is Kusal Perera’s jersey number for club and country?
He wears jersey number 55 for Sri Lanka and the franchises he has played for.
When did Kusal Perera make his international and league debuts?
He made his ODI and T20I debut in January 2013 against Australia and his Test debut in August 2015 against Pakistan. He debuted in IPL in the 2013 season for Rajasthan Royals.
What is Kusal Perera’s net worth in 2025?
Kusal Perera’s estimated net worth in 2025 is around ₹14 crore (USD 1.7 million), which comes mainly from his Sri Lanka Cricket contracts, match fees, franchise league stints, and limited brand endorsements.
Which teams (domestic, international, franchise) has Kusal Perera played for?
He has represented Sri Lanka internationally, Rajasthan Royals (IPL), Cumilla Warriors (BPL), Kandy Tuskers, Colombo Stars, Galle Gladiators (LPL), MI Emirates (ILT20), and Lahore Qalandars (PSL).