Shanaka, Dilshan, Nissanka, Mendis and Perera (Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @ICC/X.com)
2014 T20 World Cup Champions, Sri Lanka, have had some great batters in the past who have scored a plethora of runs, especially in the 20-over format. From the likes of Tillakaratne Dilshan to Kusal Mendis, there have been many outstanding superstars, past and present, who have done or are doing a wonderful job for the Island nation.
On the back of some wonderful performances in the past, these players have piled up plenty of runs in their tally as they have gone on to become the legends of Sri Lankan cricket, especially in T20 cricket. Therefore, in this article, we will have a look at the players with the most runs for Sri Lanka in T20I history.
5) Dasun Shanaka - 1530 Runs In 108 Matches
At number five on this list is Sri Lanka's all-round superstar, Dasun Shanaka. Shanaka, who was a former skipper of the Sri Lankan T20I side, led them to win the Asia Cup 2022 title as Sri Lanka were outstanding under his leadership. In his 108-match T20I career, Shanaka has amassed 1530 runs at an average of 19.87, with a strike rate of 121.71 as he also has 34 wickets in his tally.
With five half-centuries, Shanaka has made his presence felt, as he usually bats in the lower order, generally after the fall of the fifth wicket. Which is why his number, his runs might be less, but his impact in the overall game is mighty, especially for a batter who is a power hitter in the death overs. After making his debut in the year 2015 against Pakistan, Shanaka has surely made a mark in his 10-year-long T20I career.
4) Tillakaratne Dilshan - 1889 Runs In 80 Matches
Tillakaratne Dilshan (Source: @ICC/X.com)
Featuring in the fourth position on this list is former Sri Lankan legendary opener, Tillakaratne Dilshan. Dilshan made his debut in 2006 against England and played until 2016, where he featured in his last T20I game against Australia in Colombo.
During that time, Dilshan has managed to play 80 games for the Island nation, where he has scored 1889 runs at an average of 28.19, with a strike rate of 120.54, while smashing 13 half-centuries and a century in his T20 international career. Whereas with the ball, he also managed to pick nine wickets.
3) Pathum Nissanka - 1950 Runs In 68 Matches
Pathum Nissanka holds the third spot on the list with 1950 runs in 68 games, while averaging 30.46 at a strike rate of 123.10 for Sri Lanka. Along the way, he has also amassed 15 half-centuries, with his highest score being 90.
Nissanka's role at the top has been an interesting one, considering he goes hard with his technical class and ability to change the gears instantly. In his four-year-long career after making his debut against the West Indies in 2021, Nissanka has surely laid a path for himself and for the upcoming players in the future.
2) Kusal Mendis - 2076 Runs In 84 Matches
Kusal Mendis (Source: @ICC/X.com)
Now, the second player on the list is one of the finest in the current Sri Lankan line-up, Kusal Mendis. Mendis has been a part of the Sri Lankan side for the better part of the last decade, making his debut in 2016.
Since then, he has featured in 84 games, scoring 2076 runs at an average of 25.62, with a strike rate of 131.97. With 16 half-centuries, Mendis has often given Sri Lanka a solid boost in the middle overs as he keeps on grinding runs with flow. At the same time, his technical class and ability enables him to take on the opposition, while fulfilling the anchoring role.
1) Kusal Perera - 2130 Runs In 82 Matches
The player with the number one spot on the list is left-handed Kusal Perera. Perera, who has also been one of the destructive batters to come out of Sri Lanka in the last few years, has managed to score the highest 2,130 runs in 82 games at an average of 27.66, while his strike rate is impressive at 133.37.
With 15 half-centuries and one century so far in his international T20 career, Perera has often taken the aggressive route, keeping Sri Lanka at the forefront. The fearless batter has often played tough, resilient innings, especially in other formats, while his exploits in T20I cricket shall not be discounted at all.
After making his debut against Australia at Sydney in 2013, Perera has kept his mojo and his form alongside him, taking Sri Lanka to crucial victories in tough situations. With Perera in the centre, Sri Lankan cricket is definitely in safer hands.
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