Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth30 June 1969
Age49 (as in 2018)
BirthplaceMatara, Sri Lanka
ProfessionSri Lankan Cricketer
NationalitySri Lankan
Marital statusDivorced
FamilySon - Ranuka Jayasuriya; Daughters - Yalindi Jayasuriya, Savindi Jayasuriya; Father - Dunstan Jayasuriya; Mother - Breeda Jayasuriya; Brother - Chandana Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya Biography
A transformative Sri Lankan cricketer known for explosive left-handed batting, useful slow left-arm bowling, and a long international career that included
Early life and backgroundSanath Teran Jayasuriya was born on 30 June 1969 in Matara, Sri Lanka. He grew up in Matara and attended St. Servatius’ College, where his cricketing abilities were identified and developed by school mentors. As a standout schoolboy player he captained the St. Thomas’–St. Servatius encounter team in 1988 and earned multiple awards at the Observer School Cricket Awards that same year, including recognition as Best All-rounder and Best Batsman. He also represented Sri Lanka at the inaugural ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 1988 and appeared for Sri Lanka B on a Pakistan tour, where he recorded two unbeaten double centuries.
Career
Jayasuriya made his One Day International debut for Sri Lanka against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26 December 1989 and his Test debut versus New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton on 22 February 1991. He later appeared in T20 internationals, debuting against England at The Rose Bowl on 15 June 2006. Over a long international span he wore jersey number 07 for Sri Lanka and number 1 for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
A left-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Jayasuriya became one of the most influential ODI players of his era. He is credited with a series of records and milestones: he stands among the highest run-scorers in ODI history with 13,430 runs; was the first player to reach 400 ODI appearances; held the record for the fastest fifty in ODIs—scored in 17 balls in 1996—until it was broken in 2015; and produced the first pair of consecutive ODI scores over 150. He also set major partnerships, including a record 576-run second-wicket stand in Tests with Roshan Mahanama and the highest opening partnership in ODI history with Upul Tharanga.
Jayasuriya played domestically and in franchise cricket for teams including Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club, Colombo Cricket Club, Ruhuna, Somerset, Dolphins, Marylebone Cricket Club, Khulna Royal Bengals and the Mumbai Indians. He was a central figure in Sri Lanka’s 1996 Cricket World Cup triumph, contributing 221 runs and six wickets across six matches and earning the Man of the Tournament award for his overall impact. Wisden named him the Leading Cricketer in the World for 1996 and one of its Cricketers of the Year in 1997.
He captained Sri Lanka in 117 ODIs and 38 Tests between 1999 and 2003. Jayasuriya’s international retirement came in stages: he played his last Test against England in Kandy in December 2007, and his final ODI and T20 international appearances were against England in June 2011 at The Oval and Bristol respectively.
Public profile
Beyond the playing field, Jayasuriya’s profile extended into public life. He joined politics in 2010, contesting the Matara District on behalf of the United People’s Freedom Alliance and becoming the first sitting parliamentarian to play professional cricket. In 2013 he was appointed chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket’s selection committee. He has also served as a UN Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, representing efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS among young people in Sri Lanka.
Jayasuriya’s achievements include numerous individual honors in one-day cricket: he collected 47 Man of the Match awards and 11 Man of the Series awards in ODIs. He held the record for the most sixes in ODIs for a long period and ranks high among players for runs scored on a single ground. His innovations at the top of the order helped redefine attacking batting in limited-overs cricket.
Personal life
Jayasuriya’s family includes his father, Dunstan Jayasuriya, and his mother, Breeda Jayasuriya. He has a son, Ranuka Jayasuriya, and daughters Yalindi and Savindi Jayasuriya. His brother is Chandana Jayasuriya. He has been married and divorced multiple times. He follows Theravada Buddhism and is a non-vegetarian. Outside cricket he has listed travelling and watching movies as hobbies and has expressed an interest in football; he has named Sachin Tendulkar as a favourite cricketer and Diego Maradona as a favourite footballer.
Latest updates
In 2012 Jayasuriya took part in a television dance competition in India and in 2013 moved into an administrative role in Sri Lankan cricket as chairman of selectors. His retirement from international formats was completed by mid‑2011, and since then he has been involved in a mix of politics, administration and public engagements.
Legacy
Sanath Jayasuriya is widely remembered for changing how opening batsmen approached the first overs of limited‑overs cricket. His combination of aggressive left-handed batting, useful left-arm spin and leadership through the late 1990s and early 2000s have secured his place among Sri Lanka’s most influential cricketers.
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Recent Work
Appointed chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket’s selection committee in 2013.
2013Participated in the show in 2012.
2012Entered politics as a Matara District candidate for the United People’s Freedom Alliance in 2010 and served while still playing cricket.
2010Career Highlights
- Key player in Sri Lanka’s 1996 Cricket World Cup victory; Man of the Tournament
- First cricketer to play 400 ODIs
- Fourth highest ODI run-scorer with 13,430 runs
- Held the fastest ODI fifty record (17 balls) until 2015
- Captain of Sri Lanka in 117 ODIs and 38 Tests
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When was Sanath Jayasuriya born?
Sanath Jayasuriya was born on 30 June 1969.
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Sanath Jayasuriya's marital status is listed as Divorced.
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