Kusal Perera is one of the most fearless batters in Sri Lanka cricket. Perera made his ODI debut in January 2013 after Kumar Sangakkara was injured. The keeper-batsman started his career as a middle-order batter but his career took off as he was promoted up the order.
The Kalubowila cricketer has represented Sri Lanka in 22 Tests, 116 ODIs and 69 T20Is, scoring over 6000 runs. In the 50-over format, the left-handed batter has amassed 3237 runs at an average of 30.25, including six centuries and 17 half-centuries. He also captained the national ODI team for a while. As Perera celebrates his 34th birthday on August 17, let’s take a look at his top three performances in ODIs.
Here are Kusal Perera’s top three batting performances in ODIs
3. 102(86) vs New Zealand, Mount Maunganui, 2019
One of Kusal Perera’s best performances in ODIs came in the first match of the 2019 series against New Zealand. The Black Caps opted to bat first and accumulated 371 runs on the back of Martin Guptill’s scintillating hundred. Sri Lanka, in reply, got off to a solid start but failed to carry on the momentum. Despite Perry’s single handed fight (102 off 86), the visitors fell short by 45 runs.
2. 116(109) vs Pakistan, Hambantota, 2015
Pakistan already sealed the five-match series with a 3-1 lead. However, the hosts needed to end the series on a high. Perera, who opened the innings, helped the Lions post 368/4 with a belligerent ton (116 off 109). The Men in Green fell miserably in the massive chase as they could score only 203. Sri Lanka won by 165 runs and Perera bagged the Player of the Match.
1. 120(122) vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2021
Sri Lanka needed another one-on-one fightback from Kusal Perera to end the series on a positive note. After winning the first two matches and clinching the three-match series, Bangladesh came out aiming for a whitewash. Captain Perera scored 120 to take the Lankan side 286/6. Bangladesh’s reply ended at 189 after Dushmantha Chameera wreaked havoc with a fifer.
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