Arjuna Ranatunga is celebrating his 62nd birthday on December 1, 2025.
Ranatunga’s Sri Lanka ODI debut came in 1982 against England in Colombo, and he later went on to captain Sri Lanka from 1988 to 1999. Ranatunga’s biggest achievement was captaining Sri Lanka to the 1996 World Cup win against all odds.
Overall, Ranatunga scored 7456 runs at an average of 35.84 in 269 ODIs, including four centuries and 49 fifties, with the highest score of 135*. He also took 79 wickets with his medium pacers with the best bowling figures of 4/14.
Here are the top 3 performances of Arjun Ranatunga in ODIs:
3. 102 vs New Zealand, Colombo, 1998
Sri Lanka and New Zealand clashed in match 9 of the Singer-Akai Nidahas Trophy 1998 in Colombo. Sri Lanka was asked to bat first and got a good start with Romesh Kaluwitharana (54) and Aravinda de Silva laying a brilliant platform. But it was Ranatunga’s masterful century that took Sri Lanka to a good total.
Ranatunga made 102 in 98 balls with six fours and two sixes to propel his team’s final total to 293/4 in 50 overs. In response, Sanath Jayasuriya took three wickets as New Zealand managed just 206 runs, with Nathan Astle starring with 74. Sri Lanka won by 87 runs, and Ranatunga won the Player of the Match.
2. 102* vs Pakistan, Gujranwala, 1995
Sri Lanka and Pakistan faced off in the first ODI of the three-match series in Gujranwala. Sri Lanka batted first after losing the toss and, despite Asanka Gurusinha’s 57, found themselves in trouble. But Ranatunga’s 102* in 112 balls with nine fours helped Sri Lanka post 233/5 in 50 overs.
Pakistan were able to overhaul the score with nine wickets in hand as Saleem Elahi made 102* and Aamer Sohail made 77.
1. 131* vs India, Colombo, 1997
Sri Lanka and India faced off in a crucial tie of the Asia Cup 1997 in Colombo. India were asked to bat first and was restricted to 227/6 in 50 overs, with Mohammad Azharuddin (81*) and Rahul Dravid (69) being the main scorers.
Sri Lanka found themselves in trouble as Venkatesh Prasad dismissed Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva for cheap, and Marvan Atapattu perished for 31. But Arjuna Ranatunga masterfully controlled the chase, scoring 131* in 152 balls with 17 fours. He got help from Lanka de Silva, who made 37* as Sri Lanka won the game by six wickets.
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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