This list highlights the top five greatest Sri Lankan cricketers, showcasing their exceptional contributions to the game. Each player’s achievements, records, and impact on Sri Lankan cricket reflect their legendary status and enduring legacy in the sport.
5. Aravinda De Silva
Aravinda de Silva, often hailed as the architect behind Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup victory, was a pivotal figure in Sri Lankan cricket history. As Sanath Jayasuriya aptly noted, “In present times, De Silva would have scored 20,000 runs.” De Silva was the leading run-scorer for Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup, amassing 448 runs. His match-winning, unbeaten 107 in the final against Australia crowned Sri Lanka as World Champions. In his international career, De Silva scored over 15,000 runs and took more than 100 wickets in ODIs.
4. Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene’s impact on Sri Lankan cricket goes far beyond his impressive statistics. Known for his strategic acumen, he elevated Sri Lanka’s game with remarkable leadership, building a team with legends like Dilshan, Jayasuriya, Sangakkara, and Malinga. Jayawardene captained Sri Lanka to the 2007 World Cup final and was a crucial player in the 2011 and 2014 tournaments. He became the first Sri Lankan to reach 10,000 Test runs and is the third-highest ODI scorer for Sri Lanka with 12,650 runs. Overall, he scored over 24,000 international runs, ranking just behind Kumar Sangakkara.
3. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara stands out as Sri Lanka’s most talented cricketer, boasting the distinction of being the second-highest run-scorer in ODIs, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar despite playing nine fewer years. With over 28,000 runs to his name, he leads Sri Lanka in both Tests and ODIs. Sangakkara was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s journeys to the finals in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, showcasing his exceptional skills on the global stage. A particularly memorable achievement came during the 2015 World Cup when he became the only player to score four consecutive centuries, highlighting his extraordinary talent and consistency as a batsman.
2. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is widely regarded as the greatest and most successful bowler in cricket history, holding the record for the most international wickets with a remarkable total of 1,334. He achieved his 800th wicket on the final ball of his illustrious career, solidifying his legacy as the leading wicket-taker in both Test and ODI formats. Muralitharan faced scrutiny for his unorthodox bowling action, enduring significant challenges and humiliation to prove that he complied with all legal bowling regulations. Despite these obstacles, he consistently outsmarted batsmen, demonstrating unparalleled skill and mastery on the cricket field.
1. Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya is hailed as Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer, renowned for his aggressive batting style that transformed the first 15 overs of ODIs. Named the Most Valuable Player of the 1996 Cricket World Cup, he scored over 20,000 runs in international cricket, ranking second in ODIs and third in Tests for Sri Lanka. Additionally, he took 323 ODI wickets, making him one of the top all-rounders in history, surpassing legends like Jacques Kallis.
