Sri Lankan cricket has experienced significant highs and lows. From their early days to winning the World Cup in 1996, the Lions have seen some remarkable talent.
Despite recent struggles, Sri Lanka has produced legendary cricketers who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
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Here are the top 10 greatest Sri Lankan cricketers.
10. Angelo Mathews
Angelo Mathews, a versatile all-rounder, has been an essential part of Sri Lankan cricket. He played a crucial role in the 2014 T20 World Cup and was also part of the 2011 World Cup squad. Mathews has accumulated over 13,000 international runs and taken 191 wickets across all formats, earning the title of Sri Lankan Cricketer of the Year in 2015.
9. Marvan Atapattu
Marvan Atapattu, a member of the 1996 World Cup-winning squad, had a slow start to his career but eventually became a key batsman for Sri Lanka. He ranks as the sixth-highest run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket for Sri Lanka. Additionally, Atapattu was a reliable fielder, affecting the second-highest number of run-outs in ODIs from 1999-2005.
8. Arjuna Ranatunga
Arjuna Ranatunga, who debuted with Sri Lanka in Test cricket, is celebrated not just for his stats but for his leadership. He led Sri Lanka to their first World Cup victory in 1996 and stood up for his players, including Muttiah Muralitharan. Ranatunga scored over 12,000 international runs before retiring in 2000.
7. Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas is Sri Lanka’s greatest fast bowler. Known for his discipline, Vaas is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 400 wickets in 322 matches. His hat-trick against Bangladesh in the 2003 World Cup and record bowling figures of 8/19 against Zimbabwe are unforgettable.
6. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga‘s distinctive bowling style transformed limited-overs cricket. Renowned for his deadly yorkers, Malinga was pivotal in Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup victory. He is one of the best T20 bowlers, with notable achievements like taking 4 wickets in 4 balls against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup and securing 546 international wickets.
5. Aravinda De Silva
Aravinda De Silva was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup triumph. He scored 448 runs in the tournament, including a match-winning 107 not out in the final against Australia. De Silva amassed over 15,000 international runs and took more than 100 wickets in ODIs.
4. Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene is more than his impressive stats; he transformed Sri Lankan cricket through his leadership. He led Sri Lanka to the 2007 World Cup final and was crucial in the 2011 and 2014 World Cups. Jayawardene was the first Sri Lankan to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket and has over 24,000 international runs.
3. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is arguably Sri Lanka’s most talented cricketer. He is the second-highest run-scorer in ODIs and the leading run-scorer for Sri Lanka in both Tests and ODIs. Sangakkara played key roles in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups and is remembered for scoring four consecutive centuries in the 2015 World Cup.
2. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is the greatest bowler in cricket history, with 1,334 international wickets in both Test and ODI cricket, he holds the record for most wickets taken. Even though Murali’s bowling action has drawn criticism, his accomplishments are unmatched.
1. Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya tops the list as Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer. The opening 15 overs of an ODI were redefined by his aggressive batting. Jayasuriya, the most valuable player of the 1996 World Cup, scored over 20,000 international runs and took 323 wickets in ODIs, making him one of the best all-rounders in cricket history.
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