Sri Lanka has been a decent team in the ODI WCs. The nation went all the way in the 1996 ODI WC under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga. The nation has produced some fantastic batters like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Aravinda De Silva. The nation has been one of the best cricket-playing nations over the years. In particular, the batters have proven their mettle and have consistently scored runs. ODI WC has always held tremendous value for each cricketer. Winning the World Cup is the ultimate goal of a cricketer. In this article, we will tell our readers about the top 10 Sri Lankan batters with the most ODI WC runs.
1. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara was one of the most technical left-handed batters. His shots were so pleasant on the eye that one could watch all day without getting bored. The former skipper, top-order batter, and wicket-keeper made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 2000. The former Sri Lankan player was among the best batters in the world of cricket. His presence on the field was just enough to boost the morale of his team. Sangakkara played in 4 ODI World Cups from 2003 to 2015. In 2011, he contributed well and took his team to the finals of the tournament. He made 1532 runs in ODI WCs with five centuries.
2. Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the most aggressive batters. The left-handed opening batter made his debut for Sri Lanka in the ODIs in 1989. His attacking style of batting laid a strong foundation for his team and often worked in his nation’s favor. The batter was also a handy left-arm orthodox bowler and often bowled full quota of overs. Jayasuriya scored 1166 runs in his ODI WC campaigns. The all-rounder represented his side in five World Cup editions from 1992 to 2007. Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the 1996 WC.
3. Tillakaratne Dilshan
TM Dilshan was one of the prolific Sri Lankan batters. His presence in the team would boost the confidence and stability of the team. An opening batter who could bowl off-break as well, Dilshan made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 1999. His attacking batting display at the top order was unmatched. He also led the team in a few series and tournaments. Dilshan played three ODI WCs from 2007 to 2015 and scored 1112 runs for his nation. In the 2011 WC, Dilshan was a significant factor in his team making it to the finals of the tournament.
4. Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene was a former skipper and a right-handed top-order batter for Sri Lanka. One of the great batters in the history of the game, Jayawardene made his batting look so easy and classy. His stroke-making, along with timing and placement, was top-notch. Under the leadership of Mahela, Sri Lanka reached the finals of the 2011 WC. The batter even scored a century in the final of the tournament against India. From 1999 to 2015, he played 5 World Cups and scored 1100 runs in 34 innings at an average of 35.48. The great batter retired from ODI cricket in 2015.
5. Aravinda De Silva
Aravinda De Silva was a former right-handed batter for Sri Lanka. Born in Colombo in 1965, he was one of the most striking batters to ever play for Sri Lanka. His backfoot technique and ability to dominate the bowlers was something the fans could not unsee. Silva even scored a century against Australia in the final of the 1996 ODI WC and steered his team to victory quite quickly. His WC debut happened in 1987, and he continued to play until 2003. In five WC editions, the right-handed aggressive batter scored 1064 runs and two crucial centuries for his team.
6. Arjuna Ranatunga
Arjuna Ranatunga was the only captain to win an ODI WC for Sri Lanka. In 1996, the captain, alongside the batting maestro Aravinda De Silva, led his team to victory against the mighty Australians. His batting ability was top-notch, as was his captaincy skills. Popularly known as the team’s captain, Ranatunga was a leader of different kind. A bit on the unfit side, Arjuna never let his fitness affect his batting on the pitch. His stroke-making and aggressive brand of cricket was idolized by many. Ranatunga played five WC editions from 1983 to 1999 and scored 969 runs. The left-handed middle-order batter retired from ODI cricket in 1999.
7. Upul Tharanga
Upul Tharanga was a left-handed batter for Sri Lanka who used to open the innings for his team. The stylish southpaw made his ODI debut against the West Indies in 2005. His ability to score quickly in the powerplay was something to cherish for Sri Lanka. The batter played in three ODI WCs from 2007 to 2015 and managed to score 697 runs and two centuries in 21 innings.
8. Roshan Mahanama
Roshan Mahanama was a former stylish opener for Sri Lanka. Born in 1966 in Colombo, the batter made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 1986. He will always be remembered by the Sri Lankan fans for his superb 576-run stand with Sanath Jayasuriya against India in Colombo. Apart from being a batter, Mahanama was also a very agile fielder. He played four WC editions from 1987 to 1999 and scored 596 runs, along with five half-centuries.
9. Angelo Mathews
Angelo Mathews is an all-rounder for Sri Lanka who bowls right-arm medium and bats right-handed in the middle-order. The player was one of the best all-rounders for Sri Lanka. His ability in all three departments was just too good. Mathews made his ODI debut in the WC in 2011 and continued playing until 2019. In three WC editions, he scored 533 runs.
10. Marvan Atapattu
The former right-handed batter made the most of his opportunities in the test format of the game and scored seven double-centuries in his career. His ODI WC debut happened in 1999, and he went on to play two WC editions until 2003. In 15 innings, Atapattu scored 521 runs, including two centuries.
