Drought Over! Sri Lanka Gets First T20I Centurion After 14 Years

Sri Lanka records first international ton of 2025, as veteran batsman end their 14-year drought for a T20I centurion. Read below for details.

Kusal Perera is now the 3rd Sri Lanka to score a T20I ton

Source : @X/mufaddal_vohra

Kusal Perera's historic outing against New Zealand on Thursday witnesses the batsman add yet another record to his name, as the Sri Lankan now becomes the nation's first T20I centurion after 14 years.

The veteran left-handed batsman scored a magnificent 101 off 46 deliveries, which included 13 fours and 4 sixes, along with a couple of dropped catches, as luck heavily favoured him at Saxton Oval.

With the ton, cricket fans now have their first international centurion of 2025, as the first match of the calendar year produces a memorable start.

READ HERE | History! Veteran Batter Becomes First-Ever Sri Lankan To Score 2000 T20I Runs

Kusal Perera's knock has helped Sri Lanka post a total of 218 against New Zealand, as the Lankan Lions are trying to avoid a series whitewash at the hands of hosts.

With his ton, Kusal Perera now becomes the 3rd batsman from Sri Lanka to achieve the feat in the format.

Here is the list of Sri Lanka players with T20I tons:

• Mahela Jayawardene: 100 Vs Zimbabwe at Providence Stadium, Guyana, in 2010
• Tillakaratne Dilshan: 104* Vs Australia at Pallekele International Stadium, Pallekele, in 2011
• Kusal Perera: 101 Vs New Zealand at Saxton Oval, Nelson, in 2025

Sri Lanka Register Their 2nd Highest T20I Total

Sri Lanka's innings ended at 218, and with that, the 2014 T20 World Cup winners have now recorded their 2nd highest T20I total. Today's effort surpasses their 16-year-old score of 215, which they scored against India.

Highest Totals by Sri Lanka in T20Is:

• 260/6 vs Kenya in Johannesburg, 2007
• 218/5 vs New Zealand in Nelson, 2025
• 215/5 vs India in Nagpur, 2009

Sri Lanka endured a forgettable 2024, where they failed to qualify from the group stages at the T20 World Cup 2024, and the only highlight of their past 12 months was their historic ODI series win over India at home.

With a huge total at their disposal, Sri Lanka can very much expect from themselves to make a positive start to 2025.