Top 3 performances of Arjuna Ranatunga in Tests

Arjuna Ranatunga is celebrating his 62nd birthday on December 1, 2025. He was born to Reggie Padmasena Ranatunga, the third governor of Sabaragamuwa, and Nandini Ranatunga in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He also has three brothers, who all played for Sri Lanka: Sanjeeva Ranatunga, Dammika Ranatunga, and Nishantha Ranatunga.

Arjuna Ranatunga made his Test debut for Sri Lanka in their very first Test in 1982 against England and went on to play in Sri Lanka’s 100th Test as well, becoming the only cricketer to achieve the feat. He became Sri Lanka’s captain in 1988, taking Sri Lanka cricket to new heights. He was part of the Sri Lankan side that became the first to chase 300 runs in an ODI in the 1992 World Cup against Zimbabwe.

Ranatunga retired from cricket in 2000, after playing 93 Tests. He scored 5105 runs at an average of 35.69 in those games, with four centuries and 38 fifties, with the highest score of 135*. He was captain of Sri Lanka when they recorded the highest Test team total of 952/6d against India in 1997.

Here are the top 3 performances of Arjun Ranatunga in tests:

3. 127 v Australia, Colombo, 1992

Arjuna Ranatunga’s finest ton came against Australia in the first Test in 1992 in Colombo (SSC). Australia made 256 after being asked to bat first. Sri Lanka replied with 547/8d, with Asanka Gurusinha making 137 and debutant Romesh Kaluwitharana scoring 132* with 26 fours.

Captain Ranatunga hammered 127 in 192 balls with 15 fours and three sixes. However, Australia replied with 471 in the second innings, with four batters scoring fifties, and set Sri Lanka 181 to win. However, Greg Matthews’ four wickets and young Shane Warne’s three wickets stopped Sri Lanka at 164 as Australia won the game by 16 runs. Ranatunga scored a 0 in the second innings.

2. 131 v South Africa, Moratuwa, 1993

South Africa and Sri Lanka clashed in the first Test in 1993 in Moratuwa, and Sri Lanka posted 331 after choosing to bat first. Hashan Tillakaratne top-scored with 92, while Allan Donald took 5/69 and Brett Schultz took four wickets. Despite Andrew Hudson’s 90, South Africa managed 267 runs as Muttiah Muralitharan took a fifer.

In response, Sri Lanka made 300/6d in the second innings, with Ranatunga smashing 131 in 140 balls with 18 fours and one six. Set 365 runs to win, South Africa managed 251/7, as Jonty Rhodes made 101* in 207 balls. 

1. 135* v Pakistan, Colombo, 1986

Sri Lanka and Pakistan clashed in the third Test in Colombo (PSS) in March 1986. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat, posting 281 runs with Arjuna Ranatunga making 53 and Imran Khan taking four wickets. Pakistan replied with 318, as Ramiz Raja made 122.

In their second innings, Sri Lanka posted 323/3d, with Ranatunga hitting his career best in Tests, a 135* in 208 balls with 14 fours and four sixes. Asanka Gurusinha also made 116* runs as the game ended in a draw.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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