Aravinda de Silva: Sri Lanka’s Elegant 1996 World Cup Hero

Early life and rise

Aravinda de Silva was born in Colombo in 1965. He made his Test debut for Sri Lanka in 1984, still a teenager, as the side was establishing itself in the international game. His early years included difficult spells, but he developed into one of the most dependable and entertaining batters in the country’s history.

Playing style

De Silva was a short, right-handed batter famous for his strokes, particularly the cut and the pull, and for his ability to dominate bowling attacks without apparent effort. He was able to switch from caution to attack, and he also bowled occasional off-spin.

Career highlights

In 93 Tests, De Silva scored 6,361 runs, including 20 centuries, and he played 308 one-day internationals, scoring 9,284 runs, as of the end of 2024.

His finest moment came at the 1996 World Cup. In the final against Australia in Lahore, he scored an unbeaten 107 and took three wickets, being named Player of the Match as Sri Lanka won the trophy. Sri Lanka had gone into the tournament as outsiders, and the victory marked a turning point for cricket in the country.

He also spent a season with Kent in English county cricket in 1995, and he played for the Nondescripts Cricket Club at home.

Legacy

De Silva is regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest batters, and his innings in Lahore is often named among the best in a World Cup final. He retired from international cricket in the early 2000s, and he remains a respected voice in the game, with later roles in administration and selection.

Frequently asked questions

What did Aravinda de Silva do in the 1996 World Cup final?

He scored an unbeaten 107 and took three wickets against Australia in Lahore, and was named Player of the Match.

How many Test centuries did Aravinda de Silva score?

He scored 20 Test centuries in 93 Tests, as of the end of 2024.

Did Aravinda de Silva play county cricket?

Yes, he played for Kent in 1995.