Emerging from affluent Colombo circles, Mahela Jayawardene’s storied cricket journey has been one of both on-field triumph and off-field tragedy. Born in 1977 to Sunila and Senerath Jayawardene, his prosperous upbringing soon met heartbreak through the premature death of brother Dhishal. This cataclysmic event prompted a temporary sporting retreat as emotional wounds ran deep for the bereft batsman. Yet resilience conquered grief as Jayawardene, fortified by compassionate support, returned to pioneer elite batting excellence for the island nation, his name soon etched alongside vaunted Sri Lankan run-scorers. Though personal loss lingered, Jayawardene channeled distress into sporting prowess, writing legend from tragedy.
Mahela Jayawardene Batting Career Stats
Format | M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 149 | 252 | 15 | 11814 | 374 | 49.85 | 22959 | 51.46 | 34 | 7 | 50 | 1387 | 61 |
ODI | 448 | 418 | 39 | 12650 | 144 | 33.38 | 16019 | 78.97 | 19 | 0 | 77 | 1119 | 76 |
T20I | 55 | 55 | 8 | 1493 | 100 | 31.77 | 1121 | 133.18 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 173 | 33 |
IPL | 80 | 78 | 15 | 1802 | 110 | 28.6 | 1462 | 123.26 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 200 | 39 |
Bowling Career Stats
Format | M | Inn | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test | 149 | 22 | 589 | 310 | 6 | 2/32 | 2/32 | 3.16 | 51.67 | 98.17 | 0 | 0 |
ODI | 448 | 28 | 593 | 563 | 8 | 2/56 | 2/56 | 5.7 | 70.38 | 74.12 | 0 | 0 |
T20I | 55 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0/8 | 0/8 | 8.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
IPL | 80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Career Information
Test debut vs India at R.Premadasa Stadium, Aug 02, 1997
Last Test vs Pakistan at Sinhalese Sports Club, Aug 14, 2014
ODI debut vs Zimbabwe at R.Premadasa Stadium, Jan 24, 1998
Last ODI vs South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground, Mar 18, 2015
T20 debut vs England at The Rose Bowl, Jun 15, 2006
Last T20 vs India at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Apr 06, 2014
IPL debut vs Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Apr 21, 2008
Last IPL vs Pune Warriors at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, May 19, 2013
Biography - Education and Early Life
Mahela Jayawardene, a revered figure in the annals of Sri Lankan cricket, graced the world with his presence on May 27, 1977, in the bustling metropolis of Colombo, Sri Lanka. His voyage into the realm of cricket commenced at a tender age, profoundly influenced by the guiding hand of his father, Senerath Jayawardene. Jayawardene’s inaugural immersion in the cricketing milieu occurred under the auspices of the Lionel Coaching Clinic, an initiative administered by the venerable Nondescripts Cricket Club, nestled in the scenic environs of Cinnamon Gardens. It was within this crucible of cricketing pedagogy that the young Jayawardene imbibed the intricacies and subtleties of the sport. Notably, Mahela Jayawardene’s initial foray into cricket manifested as a fast bowler during his formative school years, before a transformational shift led him to embrace the role of a top-order batsman, a transition that would ultimately herald his global acclaim.
Jayawardene’s educational odyssey intersected with his sojourn in cricket at Nalanda College Colombo, an esteemed citadel of learning within Sri Lanka’s educational landscape. This venerable institution not only provided a fertile ground for the cultivation of his academic acumen but also served as a crucible for the refinement of his burgeoning cricketing talents. In a testament to his multifaceted abilities, Jayawardene assumed the mantle of captaincy for the Nalanda College Colombo first XI cricket team in 1994, thereby illustrating his early leadership attributes and cricketing prowess. The zenith of his performance during the 1994 cricketing season culminated in his distinction as the runner-up recipient of the coveted best schoolboy cricketer award, an accolade that underscored his nascent promise and latent potential within the realm of the sport.
Upon the culmination of his secondary education, Jayawardene embarked upon the pursuit of higher learning at the University of Colombo, adroitly harmonizing his academic pursuits with the burgeoning trajectory of his cricketing career. Evident from the early age of 11, his unwavering commitment to the sport paved the path for his maiden sojourn into first-class cricket by the tender age of 17. This precocious initiation laid the foundational stone for a career that would witness Mahela Jayawardene ascend to the zenith of international cricket, etching his name as an indomitable and pivotal figure in the storied annals of Sri Lankan cricketing history.
Career Journey - First Debut, IPL and Retirement
Mahela Jayawardene embarked upon his illustrious international cricketing journey in the latter part of the 1990s, marking his Test cricket debut against India at Colombo in the year 1997. This inaugural appearance for his nation coincided with a momentous chapter in Sri Lanka’s cricketing history, as the team collectively contributed to the establishment of a then-world record total of 952/6 in that particular Test match. His inauguration into the One Day International (ODI) format occurred in 1998, against Zimbabwe, an encounter in which his pivotal role significantly contributed to Sri Lanka securing a victory. Throughout his distinguished career, Jayawardene graced the cricketing arena in 149 Test matches, 448 ODIs, and 55 T20 Internationals, firmly establishing himself as a stalwart of Sri Lankan cricket.
Notably, Jayawardene assumed the mantle of captaincy during the England tour in 2006, a pivotal juncture in Sri Lanka’s cricketing trajectory. Under his astute leadership, the Sri Lankan team achieved remarkable successes, including a resounding 5–0 whitewash in the ODI series, attesting to his strategic prowess and ability to lead by example.
In the context of his Indian Premier League (IPL) career, Mahela Jayawardene’s performances garnered considerable acclaim, particularly during the 2010 season. Representing the Kings XI Punjab franchise, he made a resounding impact by opening the innings against the Kolkata Knight Riders, crafting an imposing 110* off a mere 59 balls. This exceptional performance set the tone for his campaign, culminating in an impressive batting average of 43.90 for the season. His batting prowess positioned him as the sixth-highest run-scorer in the tournament and the foremost contributor for Kings XI Punjab.
The zenith of Jayawardene’s cricketing odyssey was reached in February 2014 when he achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming only the second cricketer, following in the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar, to grace the international stage in 600 matches. Subsequently, he announced his retirement from Test cricket in July 2014, bidding farewell in a poignant final Test appearance at the Sinhalese Sports Club, a hallowed ground that held a special place in his heart. His final ODI innings on Sri Lankan soil unfolded in December 2014, facing England. Notably, Jayawardene, in tandem with his esteemed teammate Kumar Sangakkara, chose to retire from T20I cricket following the conclusion of the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup, a campaign that culminated in Sri Lanka clinching their maiden ICC World Twenty20 title. This chapter in his career symbolized not only individual accomplishments but also collective triumphs etched in the annals of cricketing history.
Personal Life - Wife, Brother Tragedy
Mahela Jayawardene’s storied cricket journey has been one of both triumph and tragedy, his storied batting career emerging from personal loss. Born in 1977 to Sunila and Senerath Jayawardene, Jayawardene’s prosperous Colombo upbringing was ruptured by the untimely death of his brother Dhishal to a brain tumor at age 16. This cataclysmic event prompted a temporary retreat from cricket as emotional wounds ran deep. Yet resilience conquered grief as Jayawardene, fortified by compassionate support, returned to pioneer elite batting excellence for over a decade. He formed both a sporting and romantic partnership with Christina Sirisena, her consultancy work enabling Jayawardene’s global cricketing odyssey, resulting in daughter Sansa Arya as their love bore fruit. But as one chapter closed, another blossomed, Jayawardene continuing his off-field journey alongside new partner Natasha Makalanda.
On-field, Jayawardene became a Marshal of runs, his name etched alongside vaunted 3-figure Sri Lankan scorers through trademark artistry, finesse, and stoic leadership. Off it, personal tumult stirred but never overwhelmed, parallel relationships enriching a tapestry-like life. Now an ICC Hall of Famer, player, partner and father alike, Jayawardene’s excellence stemmed from channeling emotional distress into cricketing prowess, writing legend from loss.
Conclusion
And so Mahela Jayawardene’s cricket journey continues, tragedy failing to overwhelm a spirit resolved to chart excellence. Batting colossus, stoic leader and brokenhearted brother alike, Jayawardene emerged from emotional tumult to raise Sri Lankan cricket to new heights through trademark artistry and finesse. Enriched by parallel sporting and romantic partnerships alike, his storied career witnessed runs flow and records fall as resilience ruled in both life and sport. Now an ICC Hall of Famer and consummate team linchpin, Jayawardene’s on and off-field paths have never walked alone. With compassion transforming grief into greatness, a distinguished playing odyssey rolls on for this captain courageous.