The top 5 fastest T20 centuries by Sri Lankan batsmen highlight some of the most aggressive, game-changing power hitting seen in international and franchise cricket history. Sri Lankan cricket has a rich tradition of fearless stroke play, and these sensational innings left fans speechless.
From vintage masterclasses in early franchise tournaments to blistering knocks in contemporary leagues, these records showcase pure ball-striking ability. Here is an in-depth breakdown of these record-breaking knocks, lesser-known trivia, and must-know match details for cricket fans worldwide.
Top 5 Fastest T20 Centuries by Sri Lankan Cricketers
| Player | Balls Faced | Match / Teams | Year | Strike Rate / Key Stats |
| Dasun Shanaka | 39 balls | St Kitts & Nevis Patriots vs St Lucia Kings | 2026 | 121* (43 balls), 8 fours, 12 sixes |
| Dasun Shanaka | 39 balls | Sinhalese SC vs Saracens SC | 2015-16 | 123 (46 balls), 16 massive sixes |
| Dasun Shanaka | 40 balls | Sinhalese SC vs Galle CC | 2015-16 | 131 (48 balls), 10 fours, 10 sixes |
| Shehan Jayasuriya | 43 balls | Chilaw Marians vs Kurunegala Youth | 2019-20 | 106* (48 balls), 9 fours, 8 sixes |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 45 balls | Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings | 2008 | 114* (48 balls), 9 fours, 11 sixes |
Fastest T20 Centuries by Sri Lankan: Detailed Breakdown of the Top 5 Innings
1. Dasun Shanaka – 39 Balls (St Kitts & Nevis Patriots vs St Lucia Kings, 2026)
Dasun Shanaka set a brand new benchmark in CPL 2026 at Warner Park by smashing a blistering century in just 39 deliveries. Coming in at number 4, he dominated the bowling attack to power his team to an imposing total.
- Final Score: 121* off 43 deliveries (Strike Rate: 281.40).
- Key Highlights: He clobbered 8 boundaries and 12 maximums, breaking the overall Caribbean Premier League fastest-century record.
- Lesser-Known Fact: This knock broke the long-standing previous CPL record of a 40-ball century previously shared by Andre Russell, Tim Seifert, and Shimron Hetmyer.
2. Dasun Shanaka – 39 Balls (Sinhalese Sports Club vs Saracens Sports Club, 2015-16)
During the AIA Premier T20 tournament in Sri Lanka’s domestic circuit, Shanaka displayed an early preview of his elite hitting against Saracens Sports Club.
- Final Score: 123 off 46 deliveries.
- Key Highlights: He struck a staggering 16 sixes in a single domestic T20 innings, setting a national record.
- Lesser-Known Fact: Just one week earlier, Shanaka had already scored another massive T20 hundred, marking one of the rarest back-to-back fast-scoring feats in Sri Lankan domestic cricket.
3. Dasun Shanaka – 40 Balls (Sinhalese Sports Club vs Galle Cricket Club, 2015-16)
Before his assault on Saracens SC, Shanaka dismantled Galle CC’s bowling lineup in Colombo, reaching three figures in only 40 balls.
- Final Score: 131 off 48 deliveries.
- Key Highlights: His power hitting single-handedly pushed Sinhalese Sports Club past 240 runs.
- Lesser-Known Fact: Despite his destructive batting, Shanaka originally broke into the Sri Lankan national squad primarily on his seam-bowling all-rounder merits before his batting took center stage.
4. Shehan Jayasuriya – 43 Balls (Chilaw Marians CC vs Kurunegala Youth CC, 2019-20)
Left-hander Shehan Jayasuriya lit up the SLC Invitational T20 tournament with an effortless 43-ball hundred while anchoring the top order for Chilaw Marians.
- Final Score: 106* off 48 deliveries.
- Key Highlights: He picked gaps with pinpoint precision, compiling 9 boundaries and 8 towering sixes.
- Lesser-Known Fact: Shehan finished that 2019-20 tournament as the leading run-scorer overall with 385 runs across 8 matches before later continuing his cricketing journey abroad.
5. Sanath Jayasuriya – 45 Balls (Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2008)
The Matara Mauler gave franchise cricket an iconic template in the very first IPL season at Wankhede Stadium. Jayasuriya tore through CSK’s bowling attack, chasing down 157 runs in just 13.5 overs.
- Final Score: 114* off 48 deliveries.
- Key Highlights: Sanath battered 9 boundaries and 11 sixes, scoring his hundred in just 45 balls.
- Lesser-Known Fact: At 38 years and 318 days old, Jayasuriya remained one of the oldest players to ever hit a century in IPL history, displaying supreme hand-eye coordination.
Conclusion
Reviewing the top 5 fastest T20 centuries by Sri Lankan stars demonstrates why these hard-hitting masters continue to produce edge-of-the-seat entertainment across global franchise and domestic cricket.
Shanaka’s latest milestone cements his status among modern finishing greats, standing alongside the legendary impact left by Sanath Jayasuriya. Keep this guide bookmarked for match streams and rapid stats updates!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the fastest century by a Sri Lankan in T20 cricket?
Dasun Shanaka holds the record for the fastest T20 century by a Sri Lankan batsman, reaching his 100 in just 39 balls—a feat he accomplished both in domestic cricket (2015-16) and franchise cricket (CPL 2026).
What is Sanath Jayasuriya’s fastest hundred in T20s?
Sanath Jayasuriya’s fastest T20 century came off 45 balls for the Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings during the inaugural 2008 IPL season.
Did Dasun Shanaka break the CPL fastest century record?
Yes, Shanaka broke the Caribbean Premier League record in 2026 by scoring a hundred off 39 deliveries for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots against St Lucia Kings.
Where can Indian viewers watch India Women vs Pakistan Women Asia Cup match live?
Indian fans can watch the match live on TV via the Star Sports Network and stream it online via the Disney+ Hotstar digital platform.