Lahiru Kumara is a cricketer who plays internationally for Sri Lanka and domestically for Nondescripts Cricket Club in Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed batter and a right-arm fast bowler who can swing the ball both ways. He made his international debut for Sri Lanka in February 2016. He currently plays for the Khulna Tigers in the Bangladesh Premier League in club cricket, winning the championship as a key player in 2023. His bowling action resembles that of former Sri Lankan fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, who coincidentally happened to be his mentor with the Sri Lanka Army Sports Club cricket, whom he has represented in the Sri Lankan domestic game.
Lahiru Kumara was born on February 13, 1997, in Kandy, Sri Lanka. He grew up in a cricket-loving family and started playing the game at the age of nine. His father, Sujith Perera, is a cricket coach and his mother, PV Swarnalatha, is a housewife. He has an older brother, Dilshan Perera, who is also a cricketer and plays for Negombo Cricket Club.
Lahiru Kumara is unmarried and lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is fluent in Sinhala, English, and Tamil. He holds a bachelor's degree in sports management from Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. He is also a qualified cricket coach and has worked as a player-coach at Sinhalese Sports Club. He enjoys travelling, reading, and listening to music in his spare time.
Lahiru Kumara started playing cricket at Prince of Wales College, where he received guidance from former Sri Lankan cricketer Roy Dias. He represented Sri Lanka at various age-group levels and was part of the squad that played in the 2016 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh. He made his first-class debut for Colts Cricket Club against Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in the 2016–17 Premier League Tournament and scored 23 runs on debut. He also made his List A debut for Colts Cricket Club against Badureliya Sports Club in the same season and took one wicket.
Lahiru Kumara made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Sri Lanka against India at Pune on January 10, 2016. He took three wickets for 29 runs and was named the player of the match as Sri Lanka won by five wickets. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut for Sri Lanka against South Africa at Johannesburg on February 4, 2017. He took no wickets and scored four runs as Sri Lanka lost by six wickets.
He made his Test debut for Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe at Harare on October 29, 2016. He took two wickets for 28 runs in the first innings and scored seven runs as Sri Lanka won by an innings and 64 runs.
Lahiru Kumara has played 17 ODIs for Sri Lanka until October 2023, scoring 26 runs at an average of 5.20 and a strike rate of 44.73. He has hit no centuries and no half-centuries with a highest score of 9. He has also bowled 746 balls and taken 20 wickets. His best bowling figures are 2/26. He has also taken three catches.
Lahiru Kumara has played 25 T20Is for Sri Lanka until November 2022, scoring 10 runs at an average of 3.33 and a strike rate of 90.90. He has hit no centuries and no half-centuries with a highest score of 4.
Lahiru Kumara has played 24 Test matches for Sri Lanka until April 2023, scoring 56 runs at an average of 3.29. He has hit no centuries and no half-centuries with a highest score of 10. He has also bowled 4,265 balls and taken 70 wickets. His best bowling figures are 6/122. He has also taken five catches.
Lahiru Kumara has not captained Sri Lanka in any international matches.
Lahiru Kumara has not been involved in any major controversies in his cricket career.
Lahiru Kumara is a cricketer who plays internationally for Sri Lanka and domestically for Nondescripts Cricket Club in Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed batter and a right-arm fast bowler who can swing the ball both ways. He made his international debut for Sri Lanka in February 2016. He currently plays for the Khulna Tigers in the Bangladesh Premier League in club cricket, winning the championship as a key player in 2023. His bowling action resembles that of former Sri Lankan fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, who coincidentally happened to be his mentor with the Sri Lanka Army Sports Club cricket, whom he has represented in the Sri Lankan domestic game. He has achieved several records and accolades for his performances and is one of the most consistent bowlers for Sri Lanka.