Partnerships play an important role in the game of cricket. Especially in the T20 format, where apart from staying at the crease, it is important to score at a quick pace. When these two things mix up, the result is a tremendous storm of runs that can take the opposition with it. Sri Lanka has given many talented batters to this game, who have lived up to the expectations and brought success to their nation. In this article, we will look at the biggest partnerships by these Sri Lankan batters in the T20I format.
1. Kumar Sangakkara And Mahela Jayawardene Vs. West Indies
We start off this list with Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene’s knock of 166 runs for the second wicket against West Indies in the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010. While batting first, the duo guided Sri Lanka to a total of 195 runs. The opposition failed to chase down this total and faced a defeat by 57 runs.
2. Mahela Jayawardene And Tillakaratne Dilshan Vs. England
On the second position, we have Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan with a 145-run knock against England. The second-wicket partnership came in the 2014 WorldT20 group-match between the two teams. Despite this partnership, England was able to chase down Sri Lanka’s total of 189 runs with six-wickets in hand.
3. Sanath Jayasuriya And Tillakaratne Dilshan Vs. West Indies
Next on the list are Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan, who put together a 124-run opening stand against West Indies in the ICC World Twenty20 of 2009. After accumulating 192 runs in the first inning, Sri Lanka successfully defended the total by restricting the opposite team to only 177 runs.
4. Pathum Nissanka And Wanindu Hasaranga Vs. Ireland
Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga played a knock of 123 runs. The fourth-wicket partnership came against Ireland in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup of 2021. Sri Lanka put 171 runs on the board in the first inning. Following this, a brilliant bowling performance restricted Ireland to only 101 runs.
5. Tillakaratne Dilshan And Dinesh Chandimal Vs. Pakistan
Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dinesh Chandimal appear on the list with a 110-run opening stand against Pakistan in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup of 2016. Despite scoring 150 runs in the first inning, Sri Lanka was handed a six-wicket defeat as Pakistan chased down the total in the last over.
6. Upul Tharanga And Kusal Perera Vs. India
The 109-run partnership for the second wicket against India makes it way to the sixth place on this list. During the Sri Lanka tour of India in 2017, the hosts put up a mammoth total of 260 runs on board. In reply, Sri Lanka could make only 172 runs, and hence, lost the match by 88 runs.
7. Kumar Sangakkara And Mahela Jayawardene Vs. West Indies
On the seventh spot, we have Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene’s unbeaten knock of 108 runs. The second-wicket partnership came against West Indies in the ICC WorldT20 in 2012. The duo led their team to a successful run chase as they won the match by nine-wickets.
8. Jeevan Mendis And Tillakaratne Dilshan Vs. Australia
Jeevan Mendis and Tillakaratne Dilshan make way to the eighth position on this list with their unbeaten 104-run partnership. During the Australia tour of Sri Lanka in 2011, Sri Lanka batted first and put 198 runs on the board. A good bowling performance in the second inning ensured that they won the match by 163 runs.
9. Kusal Perera And Charith Asalanka Vs. New Zealand
Moving to the penultimate spot, we have Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka, who put together 103 runs for the fourth wicket partnership against New Zealand. The interesting match ended in tie as both teams scored 196 runs in their allotted 20 overs. However, Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the one-over eliminator.
10. Kusal Perera And Tillakaratne Dilshan Vs. Pakistan
The final pair to make it to this list is Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan for their 100-run opening stand against Pakistan during the Sri Lanka tour of UAE in 2013. This partnership led the team to a total of 211 runs. In reply, Pakistan could score only 187 runs and lost the match by 24 runs.
