On Thursday, January 2, Sri Lanka’s wicket-keeper batter Kusal Perera etched his identify in cricketing historical past by smashing an awe-inspiring century within the third T20I of the Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 at Saxton Oval, Nelson. Perera’s explosive knock of 101 off simply 46 balls, laced with 13 fours and 4 towering sixes, not solely led his workforce to an exhilarating 7-run victory but additionally earned him the title of Participant of the Match. This feat locations him in an elite membership of Sri Lankan legends who’ve achieved centuries in T20 internationals.
Checklist of Sri Lankan T20I centurions
Mahela Jayawardene
The primary Sri Lankan to attain a T20I century was the legendary Mahela Jayawardene. Recognized for his elegant stroke play throughout all codecs, Jayawardene reached this milestone on Could 3, 2010, in the course of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup. Enjoying towards Zimbabwe at Windfall, he crafted an impressive 100 off 64 balls, together with 10 fours and 4 sixes. His century was instrumental in securing a 14-run victory for Sri Lanka, cementing his legacy as one of many best batters within the sport.
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Tillakaratne Dilshan
The second Sri Lankan to attain a T20I century was the versatile opener Tillakaratne Dilshan. On August 6, 2011, in the course of the Australia tour of Sri Lanka, Dilshan smashed an unbeaten 104 off 57 balls in Kandy. His innings, that includes 12 fours and 5 sixes, helped Sri Lanka safe a commanding 35-run victory. Recognized for his aggressive type and progressive photographs, Dilshan’s century additional solidified his repute as a T20 specialist.
Kusal Perera
Within the newest chapter of Sri Lanka’s T20I historical past, Perera’s scintillating knock towards New Zealand not solely introduced victory but additionally positioned him among the many greats. With this innings, Perera joins Jayawardene and Dilshan within the elite membership of Sri Lankan T20I centurions. His record-breaking efficiency underscores his capability to rise to the event and ship when it issues most.
Perera’s century marks solely the third occasion of a Sri Lankan batter reaching the three-figure mark in T20Is, making him a standout performer within the format. The 34-year-old’s good innings comes over 13 years after the final Sri Lankan T20I century, additional highlighting the importance of his achievement. Perera’s constant performances reaffirm his standing as Sri Lanka’s main run-scorer within the T20I format with 2056 runs.
