On Thursday, January 2, Sri Lanka’s wicket-keeper batter Kusal Perera etched his name in cricketing history by smashing an awe-inspiring century in the third T20I of the Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 at Saxton Oval, Nelson. Perera’s explosive knock of 101 off just 46 balls, laced with 13 fours and 4 towering sixes, not only led his team to a thrilling 7-run victory but also earned him the title of Player of the Match. This feat places him in an elite club of Sri Lankan legends who have achieved centuries in T20 internationals.
List of Sri Lankan T20I centurions
Mahela Jayawardene
The first Sri Lankan to achieve a T20I century was the legendary Mahela Jayawardene. Known for his elegant stroke play across all formats, Jayawardene reached this milestone on May 3, 2010, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Playing against Zimbabwe at Providence, he crafted a magnificent 100 off 64 balls, including 10 fours and 4 sixes. His century was instrumental in securing a 14-run victory for Sri Lanka, cementing his legacy as one of the finest batters in the game.
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Tillakaratne Dilshan
The second Sri Lankan to score a T20I century was the versatile opener Tillakaratne Dilshan. On August 6, 2011, during the Australia tour of Sri Lanka, Dilshan smashed an unbeaten 104 off 57 balls in Kandy. His innings, featuring 12 fours and 5 sixes, helped Sri Lanka secure a commanding 35-run victory. Known for his aggressive style and innovative shots, Dilshan’s century further solidified his reputation as a T20 specialist.
Kusal Perera
In the latest chapter of Sri Lanka’s T20I history, Perera’s scintillating knock against New Zealand not only brought victory but also placed him among the greats. With this innings, Perera joins Jayawardene and Dilshan in the elite club of Sri Lankan T20I centurions. His record-breaking performance underscores his ability to rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most.
Perera’s century marks only the third instance of a Sri Lankan batter reaching the three-figure mark in T20Is, making him a standout performer in the format. The 34-year-old’s brilliant innings comes over 13 years after the last Sri Lankan T20I century, further highlighting the significance of his achievement. Perera’s consistent performances reaffirm his status as Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in the T20I format with 2056 runs.
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