SANATH JAYASURIYA (SL) - 130 vs. India, Colombo, 2004

Sri Lanka’s explosive opener Sanath Jayasuriya is credited with changing the way ODI batting was done in the mid-1990s. His penchant for hitting over the top during the first 15 overs led Sri Lanka to their first and only ODI World Cup triumph in 1996.

Jayasuriya was also the bane of the Indian team in the 1990s and 2000s, given his liking to the Indian bowling attack, which he plundered to all parts of the ground in this match of the 2004 Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka.

India batted first and scored 271/6 thanks to 81 from Virender Sehwag, 79 from captain Sourav Ganguly and a quickfire 50 from Yuvraj Singh. Sri Lanka needed a good start to overhaul that target on a typical turning Colombo track and that’s what they didn’t get as three of their top 4 batsmen got out for single digit scores including Captain Marvan Atapattu.

Sanath Jayasuriya, on the other hand, held the innings together, looking for support which he got in the end with Tillakaratne Dilshan who made 39. But by that time, it was too late. However, Jayasuriya single-handedly took Sri Lanka within touching distance of the total, as he cut, pulled and square drove the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Jayasuriya fell for 130 off 132 balls with 14 fours and 1 six and Sri Lanka fell short of the target by four runs.   

Here is the video of the innings: