5 Most Successful Captains of Sri Lanka Cricket Team

Captains of Sri Lanka Cricket Team

Captains of Sri Lanka Cricket Team

Sri Lanka cricket used to be called an underdog until the former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga helped the nation win its first-ever world cup title in 1996. After that, the team went on to produce some heroic names and achieve various titles in world cricket.

Various legendary cricketers who made a name for Sri Lanka got the opportunity the lead the side and without a doubt, they did give justice to that, bringing several laurels to the country.

In the article, we look at 5 most successful captains of Sri Lanka in the history of Sri Lankan cricket:

 

#5. Arjuna Ranatunga

Arjuna Ranatunga

The one who scaled Sri Lankan cricket to phenomenal heights, Arjuna Ranatunga comes among the all-time captains of Sri Lankan cricket. The legendary Sri Lankan cricketer gave his nation the joy of winning the first ever cricket world cup title. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka won the 1996 cricket World Cup.

He made his debut in the year 1982 against England and led Sri Lankan cricket between 1988 and 1999. Ranatunga is counted as one of the top captains of Sri Lanka cricket in the history of the game.

Under his leadership, Sri Lanka played 193 matches, of which 89 have come out as wins while they suffered defeat on 95 occasions. Arjuna Ranatunga has a winning percentage of 48.37.

Matches Played: 193
Wins: 89
Loss: 95
Win Percentage: 48.37

 

#4. Marvan Atapattu

Marvan Atapattu

Having started his test career in the most inauspicious fashion, Marvan Atapattu became one of the top captains of Sri Lanka cricket team. A prolific run-scorer, Marvan Atapattu has as many as 6 double hundreds in his test career, besides scoring tons of runs in both one-day and test cricket.

He has represented Sri Lanka in 90 tests and 268 one-day internationals in which he has managed to rack up 5504 and 8529 runs respectively. He became the captain of Sri Lankan cricket team in the year 2001 and led Sri Lanka until 2006.

He is the fourth most successful captain of the Sri Lanka in ODIs, boasting of a winning percentage of 56.45.

Under his leadership, Sri Lanka played 63 one-day internationals, in which, 35 came out as wins, besides suffering defeat in 27 games.

Matches Played: 63
Matches won: 35
Marches lost: 27
NR: 1
Win Percentage: 56.45

 

#3. Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene

The legendary cricketer, Mahela Jayawardene stands head and shoulders above many when it comes to captaincy. Jayawardene is counted as one of the greatest captains of Sri Lankan cricket. The former cricketer has created a countless number of milestones in all the formats of the game.

Jayawardene made his debut in the year 1997 and went on to the play for as many as 18 years. Known for scoring big knocks, Jayawardene holds the records for the highest individual score in tests by a Sri Lankan.

He captained Sri Lanka between the period of 2004 and 2013. Out of 126 matches that he led the team, 68 have come out as wins, while he could not help the team win the game on 49 occasions.

Matches Played: 126
Matches won: 68
Marches lost: 49
Tied: 1
NR: 8
Win Percentage: 58.05

 

#2. Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya

One who changed the outlook of batting, Sanath Jayasuriya needs no introduction. The southpaw is said to be one of the most fearsome batsmen in International cricket. An ardent promoter of “see the ball, hit the ball”, Jayasuriya made tons of runs as an opening batsman for Sri Lanka.

He has represented Sri Lanka in 110 test matches and 445 one-day internationals. The legendary batsman amassed a record 13430 runs in one-day cricket at a phenomenal strike rate of 91.2.

Not many are aware of the fact that apart from being a brilliant batsman, Jayasuriya has also been a brilliant captain for Sri Lanka. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka has won 66 matches and lost 47 and boasts of a winning percentage of 58.26.

Matches Played: 118
Matches won: 66
Matches lost:  47
Tied: 2
NR: 3
Win Percentage: 58.26

 

#1. Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara

Sri Lanka cricket, over the years, has produced numerous batsmen who went on to become the greats of the game. 42-year old, Kumar Sangakkara is definitely one of them.

The southpaw is arguably the best captain of Sri Lanka in ODIs in the history of Sri Lankan cricket. he has played 404 one-day internationals and 134 test matches in his international career and amassed over 25,000 runs.

He led Sri Lanka between 2009 and 2011. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka played 45 one-day internationals and won 27 matches while suffering defeats 14 times.

Matches Played: 45
Matches won: 27
Matches lost: 14
NR: 4
Win Percentage: 65.85