An aggressive middle-order batter, Charith Asalanka has been a key figure in Sri Lanka's limited-overs setup. Known for his clean ball striking, he made an impact right from his T20I debut against India, smashing a quickfire 44 off 26 balls. However, it was the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE where Asalanka truly stood out, scoring 231 runs at an average of 46.20 and a strike rate of 147.13, finishing as Sri Lanka’s top scorer in the tournament. 2025 has been a landmark year for Asalanka, with his appointment as Sri Lanka’s captain in both ODIs and T20Is. Alongside his crucial contributions with the bat, he also offers handy off-spin options. Now, he joins the Mumbai Indians as a replacement for Corbin Bosch at a reserve price of INR 75 lakhs. On spin-friendly surfaces, Asalanka could prove to be a valuable all-round asset as MI chase their sixth IPL title.