A left-arm swing bowler who specialises in bringing the ball back into right-handers, Chaminda Bandara was plucked from relative obscurity when he was picked for Sri Lanka's 2016 Test squad to England as an injury replacement. It was Bandara's bowling form that impressed the national selectors. He was the only seam bowler among the Premier League Tournament's 15 top wicket-takers in the 2016 first-class season, having taken 33 wickets at an average of 26.30.

It is Bandara's bowling intelligence as much as his swing that has made him one of Sri Lanka's steady domestic performers. He has spent time in the fast-bowling academy at Khettarama, but had not played for the A team before his call-up to the national squad.

Having been born in Kegalle, and having played for St. Mary's College in his hometown, Bandara has played for the Sinhalese Sports Club, and, most recently, the Ports Authority Cricket Club.