Sri Lanka have one ODI World Cup under their belt that came in the year 1996. Following their cup-winning campaign, Sri Lanka have ended as Runners-up twice in 2007 and 2011. But, they have not been able to reach the summit again. However, they have always been an entertaining team to watch with several marquee individual performances. Here are the three highest scores by Sri Lankan players in the ODI World Cup.
3. Tillakaratne Dilshan, 144 vs Zimbabwe, 2011
Sri Lanka reached the final of the 2011 World Cup where they lost against India in a thrilling final. They dropped a masterful dominant display against Zimbabwe en route to the final in the 26th game of the tournament against Zimbabwe. Openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan stitched a first-wicket partnership of 282 runs. Dilshan scored 144 runs off 131 balls, including 16 boundaries and one maximum. Sri Lanka reached 327/6 in 50 overs. In response, Zimbabwe could only manage 188 runs as they were bundled out within 39 overs. Brendan Taylor with 80 off 72 remained their highest scorer. Notably, Dilshan’s 144 is the third-highest individual score by a Sri Lankan in an ODI World Cup game.
2. Aravinda de Silva, 145 vs Kenya, 1996
Sri Lanka went unbeaten in the group stages of the 1996 World Cup and they ended up winning the World Cup. En route to the summit clash, they dropped a massive performance against Kenya in the group stages. Riding on Aravinda de Silva’s 145 off 115, including 14 fours and five sixes, the Lankans reached 398/5 in 50 overs. In response, Kenya led by Steve Tikolo’s 96 off 95 dropped a valiant effort. But, they had to submit to their capacities as the Lankans limited them to 254/7 in 50 overs. Sri Lanka came out with a 144-run win. De Silva’s 145 is the second-highest score by a Sri Lankan player in an ODI World Cup.
1. Tillakaratne Dilshan, 161* vs Bangladesh, 2015
Sri Lanka dropped one of their best batting displays in their game against Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup. While opener Lahiru Thirimanne scored a half-century, his partner Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 161* off 146, including 22 boundaries. Top-order batter Kumar Sangakkara scored 105* off 76 as the team reached 332/1 in 50 overs. In reply, Bangladesh managed just 240 before being bundled out inside 47 overs as Sri Lanka completed a 92-run win. Dilshan’s 161* is the highest-individual score by a Sri Lankan in an ODI World Cup game.