Aravinda de Silva

Sri Lankan cricketer and captain who was instrumental in Sri Lanka's 1996 Cricket World Cup victory, scoring crucial runs in the final against Australia.

Born in Colombo on October 17, 1965, Pinnaduwage Aravinda de Silva emerged from Sri Lankan domestic cricket to become one of the island nation's most celebrated sporting figures. His early promise was evident during his school years at St. Anthony's College, Kandy, where his natural batting ability and athletic prowess caught the attention of selectors. De Silva made his international debut in 1984 and quickly established himself as Sri Lanka's premier batsman during the team's formative years in international cricket. His career peaked during the 1990s when he formed the backbone of Sri Lanka's middle order alongside players like Arjuna Ranatunga and Sanath Jayasuriya. Known for his elegant stroke play and exceptional footwork against spin bowling, de Silva possessed the rare ability to adapt his technique to different formats and conditions. His batting was characterized by impeccable timing and an array of shots that made him equally comfortable against pace and spin. The defining moment of de Silva's career came in the 1996 Cricket World Cup final against Australia at Lahore. His unbeaten 107, combined with figures of 3/42 with the ball, earned him the Man of the Match award and helped Sri Lanka claim their first World Cup victory. This all-round performance remains one of cricket's greatest individual efforts in a major final. Throughout his career, he scored over 9,000 runs in One Day Internationals and more than 6,000 in Test cricket, consistently performing in crucial matches for his country. De Silva's legacy extends beyond statistics, as he played a pivotal role in establishing Sri Lanka as a formidable cricket nation during their rise in world cricket. His technical mastery and mental fortitude inspired a generation of Sri Lankan cricketers and earned him recognition as one of the finest batsmen of his era. After retirement, he remained involved in cricket through coaching and administrative roles, continuing to contribute to the sport that made him a national hero.

Elegant right-handed batsman known for his timing, placement and ability to play both pace and spin

One of Sri Lanka's greatest batsmen who helped transform the team from minnows to world champions

• 1996 Cricket World Cup
• Man of the Match 1996 World Cup Final