Mahela Jayawardene – Profile:
| Name | Mahela Jayawardene |
|---|---|
| Player Type | Right-handed batsman |
| Date of Birth | May 27, 1977 |
| Father’s Name | Sunil Jayawardene |
| Birthplace | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Career Start | July 24, 1997 |
| Retirement Date | August 18, 2015 |
| Matches Played | 448 (ODIs), 149 (Tests), 55 (T20Is) |
| Centuries | 19 (ODIs), 34 (Tests), 1 (T20Is) |
| Half Centuries | 68 (ODIs), 50 (Tests), 1 (T20Is) |
| Ducks | 34 (ODIs), 16 (Tests), 2 (T20Is) |
| Nervous Nineties | 4 (ODIs), 5 (Tests), 0 (T20Is) |
| Wickets | 9 (ODIs), 2 (Tests), 3 (T20Is) |
| Captainship | 123 (ODIs), 38 (Tests), 12 (T20Is) |
| Man of the Matches | 19 (ODIs), 8 (Tests), 3 (T20Is) |
Biography:
Mahela Jayawardene, born on May 27, 1977, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a prominent right-handed batsman, renowned for his elegant strokeplay and impeccable technique. He commenced his cricketing journey on July 24, 1997, and concluded his illustrious career on August 18, 2015. With an impressive record of 448 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), 149 Test matches, and 55 T20 Internationals (T20Is), he emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s cricketing legends.
Known for his temperament and grace under pressure, Mahela Jayawardene amassed 19 centuries and 68 half-centuries in ODIs, 34 centuries and 50 half-centuries in Test matches, and one century and one half-century in T20Is. Despite facing the “Nervous Nineties” on a few occasions, he demonstrated immense mental strength to convert many of them into three-figure scores.
Beyond his batting prowess, Jayawardene proved his utility as a part-time bowler, picking up nine wickets in ODIs, two wickets in Test matches, and three wickets in T20Is.
As a leader, Jayawardene was at the helm of the Sri Lankan team in 123 ODIs, 38 Test matches, and 12 T20Is, exemplifying excellent leadership skills and tactical acumen.
Throughout his career, Jayawardene earned recognition for his remarkable performances and was awarded Man of the Match honors on numerous occasions, demonstrating his impact on the game.
World Records:
Below are some of the notable world records held by Mahela Jayawardene in each format:
One-Day Internationals (ODIs):
| Record | Number |
|---|---|
| Most catches in ODIs by a non-wicketkeeper | 218 |
| Highest partnership for any wicket in ODIs | 372 |
Test Matches:
| Record | Number |
|---|---|
| Most catch as a fielder in Test cricket | 205 |
| Most Test centuries by a Sri Lankan batsman | 34 |
T20 Internationals (T20Is):
| Record | Number |
|---|---|
| Most catch as a fielder in T20Is | 25 |
Brand Endorsements:
Mahela Jayawardene’s popularity and success in cricket made him an attractive choice for brand endorsements. Over the years, he became a brand ambassador for various products and services in Sri Lanka and internationally. His image as a dignified and accomplished cricketer made him a favorite for numerous advertising campaigns, including sports brands, lifestyle products, and more.
In summary, Mahela Jayawardene’s elegant batting, exemplary leadership, and numerous records have solidified his position as one of Sri Lanka’s cricketing greats. His contributions to the game and his influence as a brand ambassador have left a lasting impact on the cricketing world and beyond.