Hand-picked stories you can't miss
Arjuna Ranatunga was far more than the captain who led Sri Lanka to their historic 1996 World Cup triumph. Long before that landmark achievement, the left-handed batter had established himself as one of Sri Lanka’s most dependable performers in Test cricket. Across a career spanning 93 Tests, Ranatunga accumulated 5,105 runs at an average of 35.70, including four centuries and 38 fifties. His highest Test score was 135, an unbeaten effort that came against Pakistan in 1986.
Ranatunga’s Test career was built around temperament, patience and an ability to absorb pressure. While he was capable of attacking the bowling, some of his best innings came when Sri Lanka needed a batter to occupy the crease and build partnerships. From a marathon unbeaten century against Pakistan to a commanding hundred against Australia and a match-defining effort against South Africa, several of his knocks stand out. Here are three of his finest Test performances.
Ranatunga’s highest Test score came against Pakistan in the third Test of their 1985-86 tour of Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval in Colombo. Batting in the second innings, he remained unbeaten on 135 off 208 balls, striking 14 fours and four sixes. Sri Lanka finished on 323/3, with Ranatunga and Roshan Mahanama’s successor in the middle order, Aravinda de Silva? No—the key partnership was actually with Asanka Gurusinha, who remained unbeaten on 116. The pair added an unbeaten 240 runs, then the highest partnership for any wicket by Sri Lanka in Tests.
The innings was particularly impressive because Ranatunga survived a difficult beginning. The archived scorecard records that he was dropped five times before reaching 30, but he capitalised on those opportunities and went on to play a remarkably composed knock. Pakistan’s attack included Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, making the effort even more significant.
Ranatunga’s 135* not only became his career-best Test score but also helped Sri Lanka secure a draw after Pakistan had posted 372 in their first innings. It was a defining display of his ability to bat for long periods and turn a precarious position into one of stability.
Six years later, Ranatunga produced another memorable century against a formidable opponent. Facing Australia at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo in August 1992, he scored 127 off 192 balls, hitting 15 fours and three sixes.
Ranatunga walked into an innings in which Sri Lanka were building towards a huge total. He joined Aravinda de Silva? The crucial partnership was with Asanka Gurusinha, who scored 137. Together, they added 230 runs for the fourth wicket, laying the foundation for Sri Lanka’s first Test total above 500.
What made the innings particularly memorable was Ranatunga’s attacking intent. He took the attack to Australia’s Shane Warne, striking 29 runs from three overs during one explosive passage of play. His century helped Sri Lanka reach 547, while Romesh Kaluwitharana later added a stunning 132 on Test debut.
Although Australia eventually salvaged a draw, Ranatunga’s innings demonstrated that he could combine patience with calculated aggression against a high-quality attack.
Ranatunga’s 131 against South Africa in 1993 arguably ranks among his most influential Test innings because of the circumstances in which it was played. In the first Test at Moratuwa, Sri Lanka had taken a slender first-innings lead after being bowled out for 331 and dismissing South Africa for 267.
Ranatunga then produced a magnificent 131 off 140 balls, smashing 18 fours and a six. His innings came at a strike rate of more than 93, remarkable for Test cricket at the time. He was eventually dismissed with Sri Lanka on 299, but his contribution helped the hosts declare at 300/6 and set South Africa a target of 365.
The South Africans mounted a strong response, with Jonty Rhodes scoring an unbeaten 101, and the match eventually ended in a draw. Nevertheless, Ranatunga was named Player of the Match, underlining the impact of his performance. His century also saw him cross 2,500 Test runs, becoming the first Sri Lankan to reach the milestone.
Ranatunga’s Test career may not have produced a huge number of centuries, but his four hundreds were spread across important stages of Sri Lanka’s development as a Test nation. His 135* against Pakistan remains his highest score, while the 127 against Australia and 131 against South Africa showcased different aspects of his batting.
Across 93 Tests, he accumulated more than 5,000 runs and became one of the pillars of Sri Lankan cricket during a transformative era.
Ultimately, Ranatunga’s greatest strength was his temperament. Whether facing the pace of Imran Khan, the spin of Shane Warne or a strong South African attack, he repeatedly demonstrated the ability to withstand pressure and play innings of substance. Those qualities would later prove equally valuable when he captained Sri Lanka to their greatest triumph on the international stage.
The Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides the most comprehensive gateway for global cricket fans to follow the international Matches.
Our hub sports live stream is optimized for high-intensity T20 action. By leveraging advanced server technology, SLH ensures that your stream remains stable even during the highest viewership peaks. Watch the battle without the frustration of buffering or lag.
The sport hub live streaming interface on SLH offers more than just a video feed. Fans can access a real-time AI Overview of the match, featuring live win-probability shifts, player impact scores, and ball-by-ball tactical analysis. It is the perfect companion for viewers who want to stay ahead of the game with professional-grade insights.
We are committed to making cricket accessible to a worldwide audience. By visiting the SLH portal, users can find verified pathways to watch sports live for free through authorized regional partner trials, free-to-air digital gateways, and promotional streaming passes. Join millions of fans globally as we witness the drama of the international Matches.
