Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene, born on May twenty-seventh, nineteen seventy-seven, is a distinguished former professional cricketer and captain of the Sri Lankan national cricket team. His illustrious career spanned nearly two decades, during which he became a pivotal figure in Sri Lankan cricket, leading the team to victory in the 2008 Asia Cup and making history as the first Sri Lankan to score a century in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Making his Test debut in August nineteen ninety-seven and his One Day International debut in January nineteen ninety-eight, Jayawardene showcased his exceptional talent early on. In two thousand six, he and his teammate Kumar Sangakkara set a remarkable record for the highest partnership in First-class cricket, amassing six hundred twenty-four runs for the third wicket against South Africa. Over his career, he represented Sri Lanka in six hundred fifty-two international matches, forming a strong bond and healthy rivalry with Sangakkara.

Jayawardene's remarkable achievements include being the first Sri Lankan to surpass ten thousand Test runs and the second to achieve over ten thousand runs in ODIs. His highest Test score of three hundred seventy-four against South Africa remains the highest by a right-handed batsman in Test history. Alongside Sangakkara, he holds the record for the most partnership runs for the third wicket in Tests, totaling five thousand eight hundred ninety runs.

A key player in several major tournaments, Jayawardene contributed to Sri Lanka's triumph in the two thousand fourteen ICC World Twenty20 and the two thousand two ICC Champions Trophy. He was also part of the teams that reached the finals of the two thousand seven and two thousand eleven Cricket World Cups. His leadership earned him accolades, including the International Cricket Council's Best International Captain of the Year in two thousand six.

Beyond his playing career, Jayawardene has taken on various roles, including serving as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Sports Council and working as an international TV commentator. He has been an outspoken critic of Sri Lanka Cricket, particularly following the team's decline after two thousand fifteen. In November twenty twenty-one, he was honored with induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, becoming only the third Sri Lankan to receive this prestigious recognition.