Eshan Malinga is one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-rising pace bowlers who has impressed cricket fans with his speed, accuracy, and consistency. His performances in domestic cricket, the Lanka Premier League (LPL), and the Indian Premier League (IPL) have helped him establish himself as one of Sri Lanka’s promising young cricketers. As his popularity continues to grow, many fans search for “Eshan Malinga age” to learn more about his life, career, family, and achievements.
Who is Eshan Malinga?
Eshan Malinga is a Sri Lankan international cricketer who plays as a right-arm fast-medium bowler. He is known for generating good pace, bowling disciplined spells, and delivering effective yorkers during the death overs. Although many cricket fans assume he is related to Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga because they share the same surname, there is no confirmed family relationship between them.
Nicknamed “Opanayake Express” and “Ratnapura Express,” Eshan has become one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting young fast bowlers.
Eshan Malinga Biography/Wiki
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kiribathgala Kankanamalage Eshan Malinga Dharmasena |
| Popular Name | Eshan Malinga |
| Nicknames | Opanayake Express, Ratnapura Express |
| Date of Birth | 4 February 2001 |
| Age (2026) | 25 Years |
| Birthplace | Ratnapura, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Profession | Professional Cricketer |
| Role | Bowler |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Fast-Medium |
Eshan Malinga Age
Eshan Malinga was born on 4 February 2001, making him 25 years old in 2026. Despite being in the early stages of his professional career, he has already achieved milestones that many players take years to accomplish. His selection for Sri Lanka and participation in major franchise leagues at a young age highlight his immense potential.
Early Life and Childhood
Eshan Malinga was born in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, and spent much of his childhood in Opanayake. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in cricket and developed his bowling skills while playing school and local matches.
His passion, determination, and disciplined training helped him progress through age-group cricket. His impressive performances in school tournaments eventually opened the door to domestic cricket, where he continued to develop as a fast bowler.
One of his early career highlights came during the 2019 Ranmini Battle Inter-School Big Match, where he claimed 11 wickets for 63 runs, including six wickets in the first innings and five in the second innings.
Eshan Malinga Educational Details
Eshan Malinga completed his schooling in Sri Lanka while actively participating in competitive school cricket. His schools played an important role in shaping his cricket career and providing opportunities to compete at a high level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| School | Sivali Central College, Ratnapura |
| School | Vidyakara Maha Vidyalaya, Opanayake |
| Higher Education | Not Publicly Available |
| Cricket Development | School Cricket Programs |
Eshan Malinga Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Physical Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 70 kg |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Fast-Medium |
Eshan Malinga Parents and Background
Eshan Malinga belongs to a supportive Sri Lankan family that encouraged his passion for cricket from an early age. His father’s name is Gamini, while information about his mother has not been publicly disclosed.
Growing up in Ratnapura, he developed his cricketing skills through school competitions and local tournaments. His family’s encouragement and his dedication to hard work played a significant role in helping him pursue professional cricket.
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Eshan Malinga Career
School Cricket Career
Eshan first gained attention through outstanding performances in school cricket. During the 2019 Ranmini Battle Inter-School Big Match, he produced an exceptional bowling display by taking 11 wickets for 63 runs.
In October 2019, he became the fastest Under-19 bowler in the Airtel Fastest Pace Bowling Program after clocking 141 km/h, a remarkable achievement for a young Sri Lankan fast bowler.
Later, he suffered a back injury but successfully recovered after training under coach Palitha Nandasena, allowing him to continue his professional journey.
Domestic Cricket Career
Eshan made his domestic debut for Ragama Cricket Club in 2022 and soon became known for his disciplined bowling and ability to pick wickets in crucial situations.
In June 2024, he trained at the prestigious MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, where he had the opportunity to learn from legendary Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath. The training helped him further improve his pace, accuracy, and bowling techniques.
Lanka Premier League (LPL)
Eshan began his Lanka Premier League journey with the Colombo Strikers before joining the Jaffna Kings. His consistent performances with the ball helped Jaffna Kings secure the 2024 Lanka Premier League title, further enhancing his reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most promising young bowlers.
International Career
After impressing in domestic and franchise cricket, Eshan earned his place in the Sri Lankan national team. His international debut marked an important milestone in his career, and he has continued working towards establishing himself as a regular member of the national bowling attack.
Indian Premier League (IPL)
Eshan’s impressive performances attracted the attention of IPL franchises, and he was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the 2025 season. Playing alongside experienced international cricketers has provided valuable exposure and accelerated his development as a fast bowler.
Other Teams
Apart from representing Sri Lanka and his domestic sides, Eshan has also played for:
- Sri Lanka A
- Sri Lanka Emerging Team
- Bangla Tigers (Lanka T10 Super League)
He was also part of the Bangla Tigers squad that won the 2024 Lanka T10 Super League title.
Eshan Malinga Relationship and Marriage
As of 2026, Eshan Malinga is unmarried. Publicly available reports have linked him with Hiruni Rasangi, but he has never officially discussed his personal relationships in detail. He prefers to keep his private life away from the spotlight and remains focused on his cricket career.
Awards and Honours
Although still early in his professional career, Eshan has already achieved several notable milestones.
| Achievement | Year |
|---|---|
| Fastest Under-19 Bowler (141 km/h) | 2019 |
| Lanka Premier League Champion (Jaffna Kings) | 2024 |
| Lanka T10 Super League Champion (Bangla Tigers) | 2024 |
| Signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL) | 2025 |
| Sri Lanka International Debut | 2025 |
Favorite Things and Hobbies
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Food Habit | Non-Vegetarian |
| Favourite Sport | Cricket |
| Hobbies | Gymming |
| Hobbies | Swimming |
| Favourite Activity | Fitness Training |
Eshan Malinga Net Worth and Salary
Eshan Malinga has not publicly revealed his exact net worth. His income primarily comes from Sri Lanka Cricket contracts, domestic tournaments, franchise leagues, match fees, and endorsements.
According to publicly available reports, he earned approximately US$5,000 from his 2024 Lanka Premier League contract. Later, he was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for around ₹1.2 crore during the IPL 2025 auction, significantly increasing his earnings. As his international career progresses, his overall income and endorsement opportunities are expected to grow further.
Interesting Facts About Eshan Malinga
- Eshan Malinga is popularly known as “Opanayake Express” and “Ratnapura Express.”
- He was born on 4 February 2001.
- He is 25 years old as of 2026.
- He bowls right-arm fast-medium and bats left-handed.
- Eshan clocked 141 km/h during the Airtel Fastest Pace Bowling Program.
- He trained at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai.
- Eshan Malinga worked with legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath during his training.
- He played an important role in Jaffna Kings’ 2024 LPL title-winning campaign.
- He also helped the Bangla Tigers win the 2024 Lanka T10 Super League.
- Despite sharing the same surname, he is not publicly confirmed to be related to Lasith Malinga.
Social Media Accounts
| Platform | Status | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @malinga__97 | 78.9K followers | |
| Eshan Malinga | 16K followers |
Conclusion
Eshan Malinga has quickly become one of Sri Lanka’s brightest young pace bowlers. From dominating school cricket to representing Sri Lanka and playing in prestigious tournaments like the IPL and LPL, his journey reflects dedication, perseverance, and continuous improvement. At just 25 years old, he has already achieved several career milestones and appears well-positioned for an even more successful future in international cricket.
FAQs
What is Eshan Malinga’s age?
Eshan Malinga is 25 years old as of 2026.
When was Eshan Malinga born?
He was born on 4 February 2001.
Where was Eshan Malinga born?
He was born in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.
What is Eshan Malinga’s bowling style?
He is a right-arm fast-medium bowler.
Is Eshan Malinga related to Lasith Malinga?
There is no publicly confirmed family relationship between them.
Is Eshan Malinga married?
No. As of 2026, Eshan Malinga is unmarried.
Which IPL team does Eshan Malinga play for?
He has represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.
What are Eshan Malinga’s nicknames?
He is popularly known as “Opanayake Express” and “Ratnapura Express.”
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