On Thursday 02.01. Sri Lanka‘s wicket-keeper batter Kusal Perera carved his name into cricket history by smashing an awe-inspiring century in the third T20I. Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 at Saxton Oval, Nelson. Perera’s explosive knock of 101 off just 46 balls, interspersed with 13 fours and 4 towering sixes, not only led his team to a thrilling 7-run win but also earned him the Man of the Match award. This feat places him in the elite club of Sri Lankan legends who have scored centuries in T20 internationals.
List of Sri Lankan Centurions T20I
Mahela Jayawardene
The first Sri Lankan to score a T20I century was legendary Mahela Jayawardene. Known for his elegant strokeplay across all formats, Jayawardene reached this milestone on May 3, 2010, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Playing against Zimbabwe in Providence, he made 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 best batsmen 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 Australia on the tour of Sri Lanka, Dilshan smashed an unbeaten 104 off 57 balls in Kandy. His innings, including 12 fours and 5 sixes, helped Sri Lanka secure a convincing 35-run win. Known for his aggressive style and innovative batting, Dilshan’s century further cemented his reputation as a T20 specialist.
Kusal Perera
In the latest chapter of Sri Lanka’s T20I history, Perera’s brilliant knock against New Zealand not only sealed the win but also put him among the greats. With these changes, Perera joins Jayawardene and Dilshan in the elite club of Sri Lankan T20I centurions. His record performance highlights his ability to rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most.
Perera’s century marks only the third time a Sri Lankan batsman has reached three figures in T20Is, making him a standout performer in the format. The 34-year-old’s brilliant innings comes more than 13 years after Sri Lanka’s last 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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