Aththachchi Nuwan Pradeep Roshan Fernando, commonly known as Nuwan Pradeep, is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer who is playing for all three formats of the game. Despite being a national cricketer, he had never actually played the game until he was 20. He shot into prominence after winning a bowling speed contest, earning a national test call up less than 3 years later.
In 2010, Pradeep was called up to the Sri Lankan squad for the second Test against India. In 2011 he was again selected to the national Test squad, in the tournament against Pakistan in the UAE. He made his Test debut against Pakistan in October 2011, but did not take a wicket on debut. He became an in and out pace bowler for Sri Lanka due to most of the injuries. Despite the fact, he is one of the fastest bowlers ever found on current Sri Lanka squad. He took his first international wicket by dismissing Mohammad Ayub of Pakistan on 25 June 2012 at Galle International Stadium. After the tour of New Zealand in 2014/15 season, Pradeep showcased his bowling abilities, which sealed him in the permanent spot in Test squad. He is currently a bowling partner of Dhammika Prasad in Test cricket. On 5 July 2016 he made his Twenty20 International debut for Sri Lanka against England. On 28 December 2016 he took the 10,000th lbw in Test cricket, when he dismissed Hashim Amla during Sri Lanka's tour to South Africa. However, Pradeep was injured during the second T20I against South Africa and was sent to Sri Lanka. After injury, Pradeep was re-called for the India tour in July 2017. In the first match of the series, he took his maiden Test five-wicket haul at Galle International Stadium. His bowling performance in the match was highly praised by commentators as well. However, finally Sri Lanka lost the match by 304 runs. However, during the day two of second test, Pradeep was injured and did not bowl further throughout the match. He did bat in both innings, but was released from the remaining matches of the series. on 13 December 2017, during the second ODI against India at Mohali, Pradeep conceded 106 runs in his 10 overs. This is the worst bowling figures by a Sri Lankan in ODIs and joint third-most by a bowler in an ODI. In the match, Rohit Sharma scored his third ODI double century and Sri Lanka lost the match by 141 runs. In May 2018, he was one of 33 cricketers to be awarded a national contract by Sri Lanka Cricket ahead of the 2018–19 season. He was included for the ODI squad for the Scotland tour prior to World Cup in 2019. In the second ODI, he took a four-wicket haul by restricting Scottish total to 199. Sri Lanka won the match by 35 runs in DLS method. Pradeep won his first man of the match award for the bowling performance. In April 2019, he was named in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. During second match in the World Cup, Pradeep delivered a match-winning bowling spell against Afghanistan to take four wickets for 31 runs. Sri Lanka won the match by 34 runs, with Pradeep was named man of the match. However, Pradeep was ruled out of Sri Lanka's last two matches of the tournament, after contracting chickenpox. He was replaced by Kasun Rajitha. In the third ODI against West Indies on 1 March 2020, Pradeep bowled only 4.3 overs in Pallkelle, picking up a hamstring injury three deliveries into his second spell. He did not com back to the field after the injury. Therefore he is out for at least six weeks and missed the T20I series against West Indies and Tests against England.
Personal life
Pradeep is married to his longtime partner, Nilakshi Champika. Their wedding was celebrated on 7 May 2015.
