The Indian Premier League has always given the opportunity for overseas players to come and shine in Indian conditions. Over the years, many players from across the globe have done well for many teams. From West Indies’ Kieron Pollard to South Africa’s AB de Villiers, the IPL has many memories associated with these players.
Sri Lankan players also had a huge impact in the early years of the tournament. Many of them were integral parts of the teams that they represented for a long time. In this article, let’s look at some of the Sri Lankan batters with the most runs in the IPL.
#3 Sanath Jayasuriya – 768 runs
Sanath Jayasuriya, a Sri Lankan all-rounder, played for the Mumbai Indians in three IPL seasons from 2008 to 2010. In 2008, he scored 514 runs in 14 matches. In 31 IPL games, he has 768 runs scored. The star Sri Lankan was one of the most popular players to have represented the most successful franchise in the history of the tournament.
#2 Kumar Sangakkara– 1687 runs
Kumar Sangakkara, the current coach of the Rajasthan Royals, was one of the poster boys of the Indian Premier League’s inaugural season. He spent three seasons with Kings XI Punjab before joining the Deccan Chargers in 2011. In 2013, he was the captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team as well. Sangakkara has appeared in 71 IPL matches and scored 1687 runs at an average of 25.95.
#1 Mahela Jayawerdene– 1802 runs
Mahela Jayawardene, one of the finest Sri Lankan players in IPL history, has appeared in over 80 games. In the IPL, he has 1802 runs, 10 half-centuries, and one century to his name. He spent three seasons with Kings XI Punjab before moving on to Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Delhi Daredevils. Mahela is presently in the core management team of the five-time champions Mumbai Indians.