In a memorable IPL 2025 debut for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara made an immediate impact by clean bowling Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) opener Matthew Breetzke with a delivery that sent social media abuzz. Reminiscent of his idol, the legendary Lasith Malinga, Thushara’s slingy action and late swing proved too much for the South African batter.
The incident occurred in the third over of the match between LSG and RCB at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Handed a debut due to the unavailability of Josh Hazlewood and Lungi Ngidi, Thushara, who had previously played seven matches for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, stepped up to the challenge with the new ball. He had already bowled well in the powerplay, conceding just 19 runs in his three overs.
After rattling Breetzke with an unexpected bouncer earlier in the over, Thushara delivered what appeared to be a low full-toss. However, the ball, bowled with his characteristic slingy action, swung late and deceptively. Breetzke, who had started his innings positively with a boundary and a six, misjudged the line, and the ball cleanly crashed into his off-stump, sending it flying. The dismissal left Breetzke visibly frustrated, reportedly kicking out in disappointment.
This Malinga-esque dismissal immediately drew comparisons and highlights Thushara’s potential as a genuine T20 threat. His ability to generate late swing, even with what appears to be a full-toss, is a testament to his unique skill set.
Who is Nuwan Thushara?
Ilandari Dewage Nuwan Thushara, born on August 6, 1994, is a Sri Lankan right-arm fast-medium bowler known for his unorthodox, slingy action. He has openly idolized Lasith Malinga, and the similarities in their bowling styles are evident.
Thushara made his international T20I debut for Sri Lanka in February 2022 against Australia. He has represented his country in 18 T20Is, picking up 26 wickets at an impressive average of 16.73 and an economy rate of 7.65. His career highlight includes a hat-trick and a maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is, achieved against Bangladesh in March 2024 (5/20).
In the IPL, Thushara was acquired by Mumbai Indians for INR 4.8 crore in the IPL 2024 auction. For IPL 2025, he moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he was bought for INR 1.60 crore. His spell against LSG in his RCB debut demonstrated why he is considered a valuable asset, especially in the powerplay where he can bamboozle batters with his swing and yorkers.
With his impactful debut, Nuwan Thushara has certainly made a strong statement for RCB, proving that he can be a crucial part of their bowling attack and live up to the “Malinga regen” tag. His performance against Matthew Breetzke is a clear indication of the exciting talent he brings to the IPL.
