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On Thursday, January 2, Sri Lankathe wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera etched his name in cricket history by smashing a stunning century in the third T20I of the Tour Sri Lanka for New Zealand 2024-25 at Saxton Oval, Nelson. Perera’s explosive knock of 101 off just 46 balls, 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 an elite club of Sri Lankan legends who have scored centuries in T20 internationals.
List of Sri Lanka T20I Centurions
Mahela Jayawardene
Sri Lanka’s first to score a T20I century was legendary Mahela Jayawardene. Known for his elegant strokeplay across all formats, Jayawardene achieved this milestone on 3 May 2010, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. playing against Zimbabwe at Providence, he created a magnificent 100 off 64 balls, including 10 fours and 4 sixes. His century was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s 14-run victory, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greatest batsmen.
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Tillakaratne Dilshan
Sri Lanka’s second to score a T20I century was the versatile opener Tillakaratne Dilshan. On August 6, 2011, during the Australia Tour Sri Lanka, Dilshan smashed an unbeaten 104 off 57 balls in Kandy. His innings of 12 fours and 5 sixes helped Sri Lanka to a 35-run victory. Known for his aggressive style and innovative shots, 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 brought victory but also put 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 in which a Sri Lankan batsman has reached the three-figure mark 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 highest run scorer in the T20I format with 2056 runs.
