Kulasekara topped the 2008 ICC ODI rankings for bowlers with 724 points. He took 47 wickets at 20.97 in 29 matches, with a strike rate of 28.00 and an economy rate of 4.45. Kulasekara was ranked number one among ODI bowlers on 11 March 2009, remaining in that position until 26 September of that year. The retirement of Chaminda Vaas and the inconsistency of Lasith Malinga helped him to emerge as the star strike bowler of the Sri Lankan side. His spell of 4 for 41 at Colombo was nominated as one of the best ODI bowling performances of the year by ESPNCricinfo.