Overview
Deshabandu Pinnaduwage Aravinda de Silva (born 17 October 1965) is a former Sri Lankan cricketer, widely regarded as one of the finest players to have represented Sri Lanka. A right-handed batsman known for his elegant strokeplay, de Silva was a central figure in Sri Lanka's emergence as a major force in international cricket during the 1990s, most notably during the country's victorious 1996 Cricket World Cup campaign.
Key facts
| Full name | Pinnaduwage Aravinda de Silva |
|---|---|
| Honorific | Deshabandu |
| Born | 17 October 1965 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Role | Batsman; occasional bowler |
| Major honour | 1996 Cricket World Cup winner |
| Retired | 2003 |
| ICC Cricket Hall of Fame | Inducted 2023 |
Background
De Silva rose to prominence in Sri Lankan cricket during a period when the national side was establishing itself among the leading Test-playing nations. He went on to become a senior member of the team, contributing both as a batsman and, on occasion, as a bowler.
Career highlights
1996 Cricket World Cup
De Silva was a key member of the Sri Lankan team that won the 1996 Cricket World Cup. In the final, he scored a match-winning century and also took three or more wickets, a feat that makes him the only player to have scored a hundred and taken three or more wickets in a World Cup final. The triumph transformed Sri Lanka from tournament underdogs into a side regarded as one of the world's strongest in the years that followed.
Test record against Pakistan, 1997
In 1997, de Silva became the first batsman to score two unbeaten hundreds in a single Test match, making 138 not out and 103 not out against Pakistan.
2002 ICC Champions Trophy
Towards the end of his career, de Silva was part of the Sri Lankan side that finished as joint-winners with India at the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy.
Retirement and later roles
De Silva retired from international cricket in 2003. Since his retirement, he has held various administrative posts within Sri Lankan cricket.
Recognition
De Silva was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2023, recognising his contribution to the game and his place among Sri Lanka's greatest cricketers. He has also been conferred the Sri Lankan national honour of Deshabandu.
Match-fixing accusations
Following his playing career, de Silva, along with former captain Arjuna Ranatunga, faced accusations of match-fixing. De Silva vehemently denied the accusations.
Significance
De Silva's career coincided with, and helped drive, Sri Lanka's transition into a top-tier cricketing nation. His performance in the 1996 World Cup final remains one of the most influential individual displays in the history of the tournament, and his unique all-round contribution in that match is unmatched in World Cup finals.
Related topics
- Sri Lanka national cricket team
- 1996 Cricket World Cup
- 2002 ICC Champions Trophy
- Arjuna Ranatunga
- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame