On Thursday, January 2nd. Sri LankaWicket-keeper batsman Kusal Pereira He etched his name in cricket history by smashing a stunning century in the third T20I of Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 At Saxton Oval in Nelson. Pereira's explosive knock of 101 off just 46 balls, embellished with 13 fours and 4 towering fours, not only powered his side to a thrilling seven-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 international matches.
List of Sri Lankan T20I captains
Mahela Jayawardene
The first Sri Lankan to reach the 20th century was the legendary one Mahela Jayawardene. Known for his elegant play in all formats, Jayawardene reached the milestone on May 3, 2010, during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Playing against Zimbabwe At Providence, he made an impressive 100 off 64 balls, including 10 fours and 4 sixes. His century was instrumental in securing Sri Lanka's 14-run win, cementing his legacy as one of the best batsmen in the game.
also Read: Twitter Reactions: Kusal Perera's brilliant ton secures Sri Lanka's win in thrilling T20I final against New Zealand
Tilakaratne Dilshan
The second Sri Lankan to score a T20I century was the versatile opener Tilakaratne Dilshan. On August 6, 2011, during Australia Touring Sri Lanka, Dilshan smashed an unbeaten 104 off 57 balls in Kandy. His innings, which included 12 fours and five sixes, helped Sri Lanka to a huge 35-run win. Known for his aggressive style and innovative shots, Dilshan's century has cemented his reputation as a T20 specialist.
Kusal Pereira
In the final chapter of Sri Lanka's T20I history, Pereira's scintillating knock against New Zealand not only sealed victory but also placed him among the greats. With this innings, Pereira joins Jayawardene and Dilshan in the elite club of Sri Lankan T20I captains. 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 batsman reaching the three-figure mark in T20Is, making him a standout performer in the format. The 34-year-old's remarkable innings comes more than 13 years after his last Sri Lanka T20I century, further highlighting the significance of his achievement. Perera's consistent performances confirm his status as Sri Lanka's leading run-scorer in the T20I format with 2,056 runs.
