This list celebrates the greatest Sri Lankan cricketers, showcasing their remarkable contributions to the game. Each player’s achievements, records, and influence on Sri Lankan cricket underscore their legendary status and lasting legacy in the sport.
Aravinda De Silva
Aravinda de Silva, widely celebrated as the mastermind behind Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph, was a transformative figure in Sri Lankan cricket. As Sanath Jayasuriya once remarked, “In present times, De Silva would have scored 20,000 runs.” De Silva led as Sri Lanka’s top run-scorer in the 1996 World Cup, accumulating 448 runs. His unbeaten 107 in the final against Australia sealed Sri Lanka’s title as World Champions. Over his international career, De Silva scored more than 15,000 runs and took over 100 wickets in ODIs, cementing his legacy in the sport.
Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene’s influence on Sri Lankan cricket extends well beyond his remarkable statistics. Renowned for his strategic brilliance, he elevated Sri Lanka’s game through exceptional leadership, fostering a team of legends like Dilshan, Jayasuriya, Sangakkara, and Malinga. Jayawardene captained Sri Lanka to the 2007 World Cup final and played pivotal roles in the 2011 and 2014 tournaments. He became the first Sri Lankan to surpass 10,000 Test runs and is the third-highest ODI scorer for Sri Lanka with 12,650 runs. In total, he amassed over 24,000 international runs, trailing only Kumar Sangakkara.
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is celebrated as Sri Lanka’s most gifted cricketer, standing as the second-highest run-scorer in ODIs, behind only Sachin Tendulkar despite a nine-year shorter career. With over 28,000 international runs, he holds the record for most runs by a Sri Lankan in both Tests and ODIs. Sangakkara was pivotal in Sri Lanka’s campaigns to the finals of the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, demonstrating his world-class skill. A career-defining moment came in the 2015 World Cup when he became the first player to score four consecutive centuries, underscoring his extraordinary consistency and talent as a batsman.
Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is revered as one of cricket’s greatest bowlers, holding the all-time record with 1,334 international wickets. His 800th Test wicket, achieved on the last ball of his career, cemented his legacy as the top wicket-taker in both Test and ODI formats. Despite facing controversy and challenges over his unique bowling action, Muralitharan’s skill and determination allowed him to consistently outplay batsmen worldwide.
Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya, celebrated as Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer, revolutionized ODI cricket with his explosive batting in the first 15 overs. Named the Most Valuable Player of the 1996 World Cup, he amassed over 20,000 international runs, ranking second in ODIs and third in Tests for Sri Lanka. With 323 ODI wickets, Jayasuriya stands as one of cricket’s top all-rounders, surpassing legends such as Jacques Kallis.
| Player | Format | Matches | Runs | Batting Average | Centuries | Wickets | Bowling Average | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aravinda de Silva | ODIs | 308 | 9,223 | 34.51 | 3 | 173 | 37.08 | 1996 World Cup MVP, 448 runs in WC 1996 |
| Tests | 93 | 6,361 | 42.97 | 11 | 46 | 45.47 | ||
| T20Is | 21 | 372 | 23.25 | – | 10 | 37.00 | ||
| Mahela Jayawardene | ODIs | 448 | 12,650 | 33.37 | 19 | – | – | First to 10,000 Test runs, 24,000 international runs |
| Tests | 149 | 11,814 | 49.84 | 34 | – | – | ||
| T20Is | 55 | 1,493 | 32.15 | 1 | – | – | ||
| Kumar Sangakkara | ODIs | 404 | 14,234 | 41.98 | 25 | – | – | Second-highest ODI scorer, 28,000 international runs |
| Tests | 134 | 12,400 | 57.40 | 38 | – | – | Four consecutive centuries in WC 2015 | |
| T20Is | 56 | 1,382 | 29.04 | 1 | – | – | ||
| Muttiah Muralitharan | ODIs | 350 | – | – | – | 534 | 23.08 | Most international wickets (1,334) |
| Tests | 133 | – | – | – | 800 | 22.72 | 800 Test wickets, last ball of career | |
| T20Is | 12 | – | – | – | 13 | 22.92 | ||
| Sanath Jayasuriya | ODIs | 445 | 13,430 | 32.36 | 28 | 323 | 36.22 | 1996 World Cup MVP, 20,000+ international runs |
| Tests | 110 | 6,973 | 40.07 | 14 | 42 | 56.54 | ||
| T20Is | 31 | 629 | 25.16 | 1 | 19 | 28.84 |