By keeping his wicket safe, the batter increases the chances of his team reaching a quality total. In the shortest format of the game, it is not easy to score big. However, with batting with the right attitude and by taking calculated risk, it can be done. The Sri Lankan legends have proved this by playing some of the best knocks that the world has seen. In this article, we will take a look at the highest individual scores for Sri Lanka in T20I cricket.
1. Tillakaratne Dilshan Vs. Australia
We begin this list with Tillakaratne Dilshan who played an unbeaten inning of 104 runs against Australia during the Australia tour of Sri Lanka in 2011. With the help of twelve fours and five sixes in 57 balls, he led Sri Lanka to a total of 198 runs. In reply, the Australians could score only 163 runs, and thus, lost the match by 35 runs.
2. Mahela Jayawardene Vs. Zimbabwe
Next up, we have Mahela Jayawardene with his 100-run knock against Zimbabwe in the ICC World Twenty20 of 2010. Mahela’s inning comprised ten fours and four sixes. In the rain affected match, Zimbabwe was presented with a target of 44 runs in 5 overs (D/L Method). Sri Lanka won this match by 14 runs.
3. Mahela Jayawardene Vs. West Indies
Spot number three also belongs to Mahela Jayawardene for his unbeaten knock of 98 runs from 56 balls. This knock came against West Indies in the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010. After scoring 195 runs with the help of Mahela’s nine fours and four sixes, Sri Lanka restricted West Indies to only 138 runs.
4. Tillakaratne Dilshan Vs. West Indies
Tillakaratne Dilshan returns to take the fourth spot of this list with his unbeaten knock of 96 runs. While playing against West Indies in the ICC World Twenty20 of 2009, Dilshan hit twelve fours and two sixes in 57 balls to help Sri Lanka reach a total of 158 runs. Following this, a brilliant bowling performance bowled out West Indies for only 101 runs.
5. Mahela Jayawardene Vs. England
Mahela Jayawardene makes another appearance, this time for his 89-run inning against England in the World T20 of 2014. While batting first, Mahela guided Sri Lanka to a total of 189 runs in the first inning with his eleven fours and three sixes. However, this score was not enough as the English batters chased it down with six wickets in hand.
6. Sanath Jayasuriya Vs. Kenya
Standing on number six, we have Sanath Jayasuriya, who scored 88 runs in just 44 balls with the help of eleven fours and four sixes. While playing against Kenya in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 of 2007, Sri Lanka put up a mammoth total of 260 runs on the board. Later, Kenya got all out for only 88 runs to face a 172 runs defeat.
7. Mahela Jayawardene Vs. Australia
Featuring on this list for the fourth time, we have Mahela Jayawardene with his knock of 86 runs against Australia. During a bilateral series between the two nations in 2011, Mahela bagged twelve fours and a single six to help Sri Lanka reach a total of 157 runs. In reply, the Australian batters could score only 149 runs.
8. Asela Gunaratne Vs. Australia
Asela Gunaratne makes it to the eighth spot on this list with his unbeaten 84-run knock off just 46 balls. Studded with six fours and five sixes, Asela’s inning helped Sri Lanka in successfully chasing down Australia’s total of 173 runs. Sri Lanka won this bilateral series match in 2017 by two wickets.
9. Isuru Udana Vs. South Africa
Now, we have Isuru Udana who played an unbeaten inning of 84 runs against South Africa during the Sri Lanka tour of South Africa in 2019. Udana hit eight fours and six sixes to give hope to the Sri Lankan fans but the visitors faced a 16-run defeat as they failed to chase down a target of 180 runs.
10. Kusal Perera Vs. Pakistan
Kusal Perera takes away the final spot on this list by scoring 84 runs in just 59 balls with the help of five fours and sour sixes. During the Sri Lanka tour of UAE, the visitors put up 211 runs against Pakistan in the first inning. Following this, a good bowling performance bowled out Pakistan for only 187 runs.
