I am writing this blog to remember one of the best teams ever that existed in the Cricket history ever. We are going to cherish some of the best Sri Lankan legends in the cricket history from the 2000s era. So, read it full we have got something interesting here.
Talking about recent Sri Lankan team success the team has won Asia cup 2022 recently and the team is still I would say in the rebuilding stage. I think the Sri Lankans lost most of their best players and legends after 2011 and since then the team has been in the rebuilding stage.
I don’t think the Lankans have still managed to bring talents on which are of the same charisma and charm that Sri Lankan legends like Muttiah Muralitharan & Sangakkara. So that’s why this blog becomes an important read which would give you a good reminding of some of the best Lankan legends.
So, without wasting any time let’s get to the list of some of the best Sri Lankan legends from the 2000s era.
List of Best Sri Lankan Legends which took Sri Lanka to The Final of 2007 & 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Finals :
| Player Name | Role | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | Elegant left-handed batting, leadership |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Batsman | Classy stroke play, captaincy |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | All-rounder (Bat/Bowl) | Explosive batting, handy spin bowling |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | Batsman | Innovative stroke play, aggressive mindset |
| Marvan Atapattu | Batsman | Solid technique, consistency |
| Chamara Silva | Batsman | Middle-order stability, calm temperament |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Bowler (Off-spin) | Greatest spinner, 800 Test wickets |
| Chaminda Vaas | Bowler (Left-arm pace) | Swing and seam movement, ODI consistency |
| Lasith Malinga | Bowler (Right-arm pace) | Deadly yorkers, death bowling specialist |
| Dilhara Fernando | Bowler (Right-arm pace) | Sharp pace, deceptive slower deliveries |
| Farveez Maharoof | All-rounder | Handy medium pace, middle-order batting |
| Russel Arnold | All-rounder | Finisher, part-time off-spin |
Here are more interesting stats of Sri Lankan Cricket team from 2007 & 2011 WC which makes them one of the best Legends.
Career Statistics of Sri Lankan Legends (2000s Era)
| Player | Role | Test Matches | Test Runs | Test Wickets | ODI Matches | ODI Runs | ODI Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | 134 | 12,400 | – | 404 | 14,234 | – |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Batsman | 149 | 11,814 | – | 448 | 12,650 | – |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | All-rounder (Bat/Bowl) | 110 | 6,973 | 98 | 445 | 13,430 | 323 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Bowler (Off-spin) | 133 | – | 800 | 350 | – | 534 |
| Chaminda Vaas | Bowler (Left-arm pace) | 111 | 3,085 | 355 | 322 | 2,025 | 400 |
| Lasith Malinga | Bowler (Right-arm pace) | 30 | – | 101 | 226 | – | 338 |
| Marvan Atapattu | Batsman | 90 | 5,502 | – | 268 | 8,529 | – |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | Batsman | 87 | 5,492 | – | 330 | 10,290 | 106 |
| Thilan Samaraweera | Batsman | 81 | 5,462 | – | 53 | 862 | – |
| Upul Tharanga | Batsman | 31 | 1,754 | – | 235 | 6,951 | – |
| Nuwan Kulasekara | Bowler (Right-arm pace) | 21 | 1,002 | 48 | 184 | 1,176 | 199 |
| Ajantha Mendis | Bowler (Mystery spin) | 19 | – | 70 | 87 | – | 152 |
| Farveez Maharoof | All-rounder | 22 | 584 | 25 | 109 | 1,218 | 135 |
| Angelo Mathews | All-rounder | 100 | 6,236 | 33 | 218 | 5,835 | 120 |
| Russel Arnold | All-rounder | 44 | 1,821 | 8 | 180 | 3,950 | 40 |
Notable Achievements of Sri Lankan Legends
| Player | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | 11 Test double centuries (2nd most after Don Bradman); part of the highest Test partnership (624 runs with Jayawardene). |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Highest Test score by a right-handed batsman (374); part of the highest Test partnership (624 runs with Sangakkara). |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Only player with 10,000+ ODI runs & 300+ wickets; first to score an ODI century in under 50 balls. |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Highest wicket-taker in Test history (800 wickets). |
| Chaminda Vaas | Best ODI bowling figures (8/19 vs Zimbabwe); one of the few with two ODI hat-tricks. |
| Lasith Malinga | Only bowler to take four wickets in four balls twice; first to 100 T20I wickets. |
| Marvan Atapattu | Scored six Test double centuries. |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | Invented “Dilscoop”; 10,000+ ODI runs & 100+ wickets. |
| Thilan Samaraweera | Two Test double centuries. |
| Upul Tharanga | Key ODI opener, played crucial knocks in World Cups. |
| Nuwan Kulasekara | Known for deadly swing bowling in ODIs. |
| Ajantha Mendis | Fastest to 50 ODI wickets (in 19 matches); famous for “Carrom Ball”. |
| Farveez Maharoof | Contributed with bat & ball in crucial moments. |
| Angelo Mathews | Consistent all-rounder, vital in ODIs & Tests. |
| Russel Arnold | Reliable finisher & part-time spinner. |
Comparison of Sri Lankan, Indian, and Australian Cricket Legends (2000s Era)
Table 1: Comparison of Sri Lankan, Indian, and Australian Batting Legends (2000s Era)
| Player | Country | Role | Test Runs | ODI Runs | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | 12,400 | 14,234 | 11 Test double centuries; highest Test partnership (624 runs with Jayawardene). |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | Batsman | 15,921 | 18,426 | Most international runs; first to score 100 international centuries. |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | Batsman | 13,378 | 13,704 | Led Australia to 2 consecutive World Cup wins (2003 & 2007). |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | Batsman | 11,814 | 12,650 | Highest Test score by a right-hander (374); World Cup-winning captain (2014 T20 WC). |
| Rahul Dravid | India | Batsman | 13,288 | 10,889 | “The Wall” – most deliveries faced in Test cricket history. |
| Matthew Hayden | Australia | Batsman | 8,625 | 6,133 | Held the record for highest Test score by an Australian (380). |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | All-rounder (Bat/Bowl) | 6,973 | 13,430 | Only player with 10,000+ ODI runs & 300+ wickets. |
| Virender Sehwag | India | Batsman | 8,586 | 8,273 | Two Test triple centuries; fastest triple century (278 balls). |
| Adam Gilchrist | Australia | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | 5,570 | 9,619 | Revolutionized wicketkeeper-batsman role with aggressive batting. |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | Sri Lanka | Batsman | 5,492 | 10,290 | Invented the “Dilscoop”; 10,000+ ODI runs & 100+ wickets. |
| MS Dhoni | India | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | 4,876 | 10,773 | Only captain to win all ICC trophies (T20 WC 2007, ODI WC 2011, Champions Trophy 2013). |
| Michael Clarke | Australia | Batsman | 8,643 | 7,981 | Led Australia to the 2015 World Cup win. |
Sri Lanka’s Batting Legacy in the 2000s Era (Read it Full There is More)
- Sangakkara & Jayawardene formed one of the most iconic batting duos, holding records like the highest Test partnership (624 runs).
- Jayasuriya & Dilshan brought innovation with aggressive stroke play, reshaping modern-day ODI & T20 cricket.
- Aravinda de Silva & Atapattu provided stability and class, paving the way for Sri Lanka’s golden era.
- 2014 T20 World Cup win was the culmination of years of Sri Lanka’s batting excellence.
Table 2: Comparison of Sri Lankan, Indian, and Australian Bowling Legends (2000s Era)
| Player | Country | Role | Test Wickets | ODI Wickets | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | Bowler (Off-spin) | 800 | 534 | Most wickets in Test history. |
| Anil Kumble | India | Bowler (Leg-spin) | 619 | 337 | 10-wicket haul in a Test innings (vs Pakistan, 1999). |
| Shane Warne | Australia | Bowler (Leg-spin) | 708 | 293 | Most wickets in Ashes history. |
| Chaminda Vaas | Sri Lanka | Bowler (Left-arm pace) | 355 | 400 | Best ODI bowling figures (8/19 vs Zimbabwe). |
| Zaheer Khan | India | Bowler (Left-arm pace) | 311 | 282 | Led India’s pace attack in 2011 World Cup-winning campaign. |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | Bowler (Right-arm pace) | 563 | 381 | Most wickets by a fast bowler in Test cricket. |
| Lasith Malinga | Sri Lanka | Bowler (Right-arm pace) | 101 | 338 | Only bowler to take four wickets in four consecutive balls twice. |
| Brett Lee | Australia | Bowler (Right-arm pace) | 310 | 380 | Fastest bowler of his era, consistently bowling over 150 km/h. |
Final Words :
Sri Lankan Batters vs. Their Global Counterparts: A Deep Dive into Averages
One of the standout aspects of Sri Lanka’s batting legends from the 2000s era is their exceptional batting averages, particularly in Test cricket. Let’s analyze how Sri Lanka’s batters compared to their Indian and Australian counterparts in terms of averages and consistency.
1. Sri Lankan Batters Had Higher Test Averages
| Player | Team | Test Runs | Test Average | ODI Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 12,400 | 57.40 | 41.98 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 11,814 | 49.84 | 33.37 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 6,973 | 40.07 | 32.36 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | Sri Lanka | 5,492 | 40.98 | 39.27 |
| Marvan Atapattu | Sri Lanka | 5,502 | 39.02 | 37.57 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 15,921 | 53.78 | 44.83 |
| Rahul Dravid | India | 13,288 | 52.31 | 39.16 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 13,378 | 51.85 | 42.03 |
| Matthew Hayden | Australia | 8,625 | 50.73 | 43.80 |
| Virender Sehwag | India | 8,586 | 49.34 | 35.05 |
Key Takeaways from Test Cricket Averages:
✅ Sangakkara (57.40) had a better Test average than Tendulkar (53.78), Dravid (52.31), and Ponting (51.85).
✅ Jayawardene (49.84) and Dilshan (40.98) also had solid Test averages, competing with Indian and Australian greats.
✅ Sehwag (49.34) had a similar aggressive impact as Jayasuriya, but Jayasuriya contributed more with the ball.
✅ Marvan Atapattu (39.02) wasn’t the flashiest, but he was a solid technician and played many match-winning innings.
2. Kumar Sangakkara – One of the Most Consistent Batsmen in History
- His Test batting average of 57.40 is among the highest ever for players with over 10,000 runs.
- In his last 3 years before retirement, he averaged over 60, showing his class even towards the end of his career.
- Against Australia, he averaged 60.08, proving he performed against the best attacks.
- He scored 11 double centuries, a record only surpassed by Don Bradman.
3. Sri Lankan Batters in ODIs – Reliable but Slightly Behind India & Australia
| Player | Team | ODI Runs | ODI Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 18,426 | 44.83 | 86.23 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 13,704 | 42.03 | 80.39 |
| Virender Sehwag | India | 8,273 | 35.05 | 104.33 |
| MS Dhoni | India | 10,773 | 50.57 | 87.56 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 14,234 | 41.98 | 78.86 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 12,650 | 33.37 | 78.96 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 13,430 | 32.36 | 91.20 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | Sri Lanka | 10,290 | 39.27 | 86.23 |
Key Takeaways from ODI Batting Averages:
✅ Sangakkara (41.98) had an ODI average comparable to Ponting (42.03), showing he was world-class.
✅ MS Dhoni (50.57) and Tendulkar (44.83) led in ODI averages, but Sangakkara was close behind.
✅ Jayasuriya (91.20 SR) and Sehwag (104.33 SR) were the most aggressive openers of their time.
✅ Jayawardene had a lower average (33.37), but his impact in big tournaments like the 2011 World Cup final was significant.
✅ Dilshan (39.27) played a vital role in Sri Lanka’s batting order and was one of their best modern-day ODI openers.
Final Verdict – Were Sri Lankan Batters Statistically Better?
🔷 In Test cricket, Sangakkara was the best of the lot, surpassing even Tendulkar, Ponting, and Dravid in averages.
🔷 Jayawardene also had a near-50 average, which was on par with top batsmen from India & Australia.
🔷 Sri Lanka’s ODI batting was strong, but India & Australia had slightly better consistency in ODI averages.
🔷 Jayasuriya and Dilshan redefined opening batting with their aggressive approach.
Sri Lankan batters may not have been as globally hyped as Tendulkar or Ponting, but statistically, Sangakkara and Jayawardene matched or even outperformed their peers in Tests.
Key Takeaways – Sri Lanka’s Bowling Superiority
✅ Muralitharan (800 wickets) outperforms every spinner ever, including Warne (708) and Kumble (619).
✅ Vaas (400 ODI wickets) was more successful in ODIs than Brett Lee (380) and Zaheer Khan (282).
✅ Malinga dominated limited-overs cricket with his lethal yorkers, while Zaheer and McGrath were better in Tests.
✅ Sri Lanka had world-class spinners & innovative pacers, making them a complete bowling unit.
✅ Indian and Australian bowlers were strong overall, but Sri Lanka had unique match-winners in all formats.
Sri Lanka’s Overall Legacy
🏆 1996 ODI World Cup Champions – Defeated Australia in the final, led by Arjuna Ranatunga.
🏆 2011 ODI World Cup Finalists – Narrowly lost to India, proving they remained a world-class side.
🏆 2014 T20 World Cup Winners – Under Lasith Malinga’s leadership, they finally clinched a T20 title.
🔹 Key Takeaways from Sri Lanka’s Legends:
✅ They produced some of the best batting averages in Tests, proving their consistency.
✅ Their bowlers had superior averages, with Muralitharan leading as the greatest match-winner.
✅ Aggressive and fearless approach in ODIs, pioneered by Jayasuriya, changed cricket forever.
✅ Sri Lanka lacked long-term pace dominance, unlike Australia, but had a legendary spinner (Murali) and an iconic T20 bowler (Malinga).
Sri Lanka Was Among the Best Fielding Teams (2007-2011)
✔ One of the best fielding sides in ODIs and T20s, especially with Dilshan, Jayawardene, and Mathews leading the outfield.
✔ Safe slip catching and sharp wicketkeeping by Sangakkara gave them an edge.
✔ Quick, athletic, and known for direct hits and diving saves, matching the best teams of the era.
Overall, Sri Lanka was a top-tier fielding team, on par with Australia and South Africa, and better than most subcontinent teams during 2007-2011.
All in all :
The Sri Lankan legends of the 2000s era delivered some of the most unforgettable and world-class performances in cricket history. Their contributions were not just about winning trophies but about crafting moments of brilliance that cricket fans will cherish forever.
While India had a continuous talent pipeline that brought Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to take over from Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid, Sri Lanka faced a different challenge. The likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene left behind a massive void that has been difficult to fill due to a smaller talent pool. Their class, consistency, and match-winning abilities made them irreplaceable icons of Sri Lankan cricket.
Even though Sri Lanka may not have won every major trophy during this period, the sheer quality of performancesfrom these legends created timeless cricketing memories. From Murali’s magical spells, Sangakkara’s elegant stroke play, Jayasuriya’s fearless hitting, to Jayawardene’s composure in big matches, these moments define an era that fans across the world look back on with nostalgia and admiration.
The 2000s was truly a golden period for Sri Lankan cricket, and while trophies are important, legendary performances are what truly last forever. These players gave everything for their country, and their legacy continues to inspire the new generation. A truly special time in cricket history!
I hope you like this article
Happy Cricket
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