Eshan Malinga is a young and promising fast bowler from Sri Lanka who is starting to make waves in the Indian Premier League. After a solid debut season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025, he has been retained for IPL 2026 as the franchise continues to invest in his pace and potential. Known for bowling at good speeds and troubling batters with his lines, Eshan is one to watch in the upcoming season.
Player Overview – Eshan Malinga
- Full Name: Kiribathgala Kankanamalage Eshan Malinga Dharmasena
- Date of Birth: 04 February 2001
- Age (2026): 25 years
- Nationality: Sri Lanka
- Role: Fast Bowler
- Batting Style: Left-handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
- IPL Debut: 2025
Eshan’s rise through domestic and international cricket has seen him develop into a pace bowler with good rhythm and wicket-taking ability.
Eshan Malinga IPL 2026 Team & Price
- IPL 2026 Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad
- IPL 2026 Price: ₹1.20 Crore
- Status: Retained Bowler
SRH retained Malinga for IPL 2026 after his impressive first season, showing faith in his development and ability to trouble big hitters in T20 cricket.
IPL Auction Price History
| Year | Price | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ₹1.20 Cr | SRH |
| 2026 | ₹1.20 Cr | SRH |
Eshan was picked in the 2025 IPL Auction and retained at the same price for the following season, indicating that SRH sees long-term value in him.
IPL Career Overview (Till 2026)
| Matches | Wickets | Best Bowling | Bowling Average | Economy | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 13 | 3/31 | 18.31 | 8.93 | 12.31 |
In his debut IPL season, Eshan Malinga picked up 13 wickets in just 7 matches, which is a strong return for a newcomer, showing his ability to pick wickets consistently.
Bowling Performance – Season-by-Season
| Season | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Avg | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 13 | 3/31 | 18.31 | 8.93 | 12.31 |
Bowling Highlights
- Best Bowling Figures: 3/31
- Total Wickets in Debut Season: 13
- Matches Played: 7
His strike rate of 12.31 shows his knack for breakthroughs, making him a wicket-taking option for SRH in crucial phases.
Fielding & Batting Overview
Batting (IPL)
| Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | – | – | – |
Eshan’s primary role in IPL is bowling; he has not yet had the opportunity to bat in a match.
Fielding
| Matches | Catches |
|---|---|
| 7 | 4 |
He has taken 4 catches in the field, showing good awareness and athleticism.
See Also: Top 10 Most Successful IPL Captains (2008–2025)
Domestic & International Background
Before entering the IPL, Eshan Malinga built experience playing:
- For Sri Lanka A and Sri Lanka Emerging Team
- For Sri Lanka national team in ODIs and T20Is
- In domestic cricket for Ragama Cricket Club and Bloomfield Cricket & Athletic Club
He debuted internationally in ODIs in 2025 and in T20Is by early 2026, gaining exposure that has helped refine his bowling under pressure.
Playing Style & Strengths
Bowling Strengths
- Bowls fast-medium pace consistently
- Good line and length in the death overs
- Can generate bounce and movement
Fielding
- Agile in the field
- Shows good catching ability
Team Value
- Provides support as a strike bowler
- Useful in initial overs and middle overs
Role in SRH for IPL 2026
In IPL 2026, Eshan Malinga is set to be one of SRH’s key fast bowling options. His ability to bowl at crucial stages—especially in powerplay and death overs—makes him valuable for combo strategies. He will look to build on his breakout debut season and contribute more consistently to the team’s win tally.
Final Verdict
Eshan Malinga’s journey from international debut to IPL success in such a short span highlights his potential. With 13 wickets in 7 games in his debut IPL season, he has already shown that he can compete at the highest level. Retained for ₹1.20 crore for IPL 2026, Malinga is one of the young bowlers who could become a major star if he continues his upward trajectory with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
