[1] An All-rounder, Shanaka is a right-arm medium fast bowler and an aggressive lower order batsman.

[2] In February 2021, ahead of their tour of the West Indies, Shanaka was formally appointed as Sri Lanka's T20I captain, replacing Lasith Malinga.

[3] In July 2021, Shanaka was also named as the captain of Sri Lanka's One Day International (ODI) squad for their series against India.

[4] Shanaka led Sri Lanka to win the 2022 Asia Cup, the six title the team won.

In May 2016, Shanaka scored a century against Leicestershire County Cricket Club in a first-class match on the tour of England.

[9] On 3 June 2018, he was selected to play for the Montreal Tigers in the players' draft for the inaugural edition of the Global T20 Canada tournament.

[13][14] In October 2018, he was named in the squad for the Chittagong Vikings team, following the draft for the 2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League.

He also put 122 run partnership with Sikander Raza and brought 7 wicket victory for Dubai Capitals.

In April 2023, he was signed by Gujarat Titans for the 2023 Indian Premier League as a replacement player for Kane Williamson.

[36] Shanka along with Thisara Perera breakneck seventh-wicket stand of 109 runs to lift Sri Lanka to pass 300+ in a rain-hit day.

[37] Sri Lanka finally won the match by 3 runs, by the D/L method, which was their first win against South Africa after 11 consecutive losses.

[2] In February 2021, Shanaka was again named as Sri Lanka's T20I captain, this time for their series against the West Indies.

[44] In September, Sri Lanka played a limited over series against South Africa, where Shanaka was lifted as the regular captain of ODI squad.

[45] Later the same month, Shanaka was named as the captain of Sri Lanka's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

[50][51] In September 2022, Shanaka captained Sri Lanka in the 2022 Asia Cup twenty20 series held in the UAE.

After a match-winning partnership by Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka posted a total of 170 runs.

Sri Lanka finally won the Asia Cup title for the sixth time under Shanaka's captaincy.

Sri Lanka won all eight matches including the final to qualify for the World Cup under Dasun Shanaka's captaincy.

This was Sri Lanka’s record 11th consecutive ODI win after being unbeaten in World Cup qualifiers.

Sri Lanka also created history in men’s ODI cricket, clinching 11 consecutive all-out dismissals of opponents.