Mahela Jayawardene Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career
Among the new cricketers of the modern era is Mahela Jayawardene, who embodies beauty, elegance and consistency. A renowned run-scorer, master and quiet leader, Jayawardene has left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan and international cricket. From record-breaking partnerships to long centuries across all formats, his cricketing journey is a story. A story made up of talent, dedication and leadership.
Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Mahela showed cricketing talent from an early age. As a student of Nalanda College, he excelled in both academics and sports. His calm demeanor, coupled with a competitive streak, was evident early in his life. Let’s take a look at his career, net worth etc. in this blog.
Cricket Debut and Rise
Jayawardene made his Test debut against England in 1997 and ODI debut against Zimbabwe in 1998. From the start, he impressed with his refined technique and ability to handle pressure. He was initially compared to the greats for his talent and cricketing brain.
He often batted at number three, one of the most difficult positions in cricket. And there were occasions when he formed a lasting partnership with Kumar Sangakkara. Together, the two built one of the most famous partnerships in Test history: a mammoth 624-run stand against South Africa in 2006.
Leadership and Captaincy
Jayawardene was not only a brilliant batsman, but also a shrewd captain. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka achieved significant overseas victories in England and New Zealand. He first captained Sri Lanka in 2006 and led the team to the 2007 World Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Australia.
He stepped down in 2009 but returned briefly in 2011–12, proving his tactical acumen and ability to guide the next generation. Jayawardene’s captaincy involved taking measured risks and making calm decisions under pressure.
Career Highlights and Achievements
- Over 11,800 runs in Tests with 34 centuries.
- 12,650 runs in ODIs with 19 centuries.
- 49.84 Test average, showcasing remarkable consistency.
- Scored a record 374 against South Africa in 2006, which is his highest Test score.
- Part of the record 624-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara.
- Known for his cover drives, wristy flicks, and cuts behind the stumps.
- Excelled in ICC tournaments, including World Cup and T20 World Cup finals.
- Multiple double centuries in Tests, highlighting his big-match temperament.
Net Worth and Endorsements
Mahela Jayawardene’s net worth is around $20 million USD (2025). He has earned through:
- Cricket salaries and match fees.
- Coaching assignments in international leagues and IPL teams.
- Commentary and punditry for ICC and other international broadcasts.
- Endorsements for brands like MAS Holdings, Reebok, and LG Electronics.
Jayawardene has also been into cricket administration and mentoring roles. Like he even ends up doing coaching positions in franchise cricket globally.
Personal Life and Family
Mahela Jayawardene is married to Sulochana Jayawardene. She was his partner and supportive presence throughout his cricketing career. They have maintained a relatively private life away from the public spotlight. In addition to family life, Jayawardene is involved in cricket development and youth mentoring in Sri Lanka. He helps nurture the next generation of cricketers.
IPL and Franchise Career
Mahela Jayawardene has been an integral part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other global T20 leagues:
| IPL/League Team | Years | Matches | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Daredevils (Delhi Capitals) | 2008–2013 | 76 | 2038 | 100 | 31.82 | 131.5 | 1 | 15 |
| Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings) | 2009–2010 | 12 | 320 | 68 | 29.09 | 122.5 | 0 | 2 |
| Adelaide Strikers | 2012 | 8 | 201 | 51 | 28.71 | 121.4 | 0 | 2 |
| Trinbago Knight Riders | 2013 | 6 | 145 | 54 | 36.25 | 129.1 | 0 | 1 |
| T20 Leagues Total | – | 102 | 2,704 | 100* | 31.7 | 130.2 | 1 | 20 |
Jayawardene was not only a prolific scorer in IPL but also an effective mentor and leader.
Career Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 149 | 252 | 15 | 11,814 | 374 | 49.84 | 22,959 | 51.45 | 34 | 50 | 1,387 | 61 | 205 | 0 |
| ODIs | 448 | 418 | 39 | 12,650 | 144 | 33.37 | 16,020 | 78.96 | 19 | 77 | 1,119 | 76 | 218 | 0 |
| T20Is | 55 | 55 | 8 | 1,493 | 100 | 31.76 | 1,121 | 133.18 | 1 | 9 | 173 | 33 | 17 | 0 |
| First-Class (FC) | 237 | 383 | 24 | 17,838 | 374 | 49.68 | – | – | 51 | 80 | – | – | 305 | 0 |
| List A | 546 | 509 | 51 | 15,421 | 163* | 33.67 | – | – | 21 | 95 | – | – | 265 | 0 |
| T20s (Overall) | 222 | 214 | 27 | 5,479 | 116 | 29.29 | 4,150 | 132.02 | 3 | 36 | 634 | 136 | 75 | 0 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 149 | 22 | 589 | 310 | 6 | 2/32 | 2/32 | 51.66 | 3.15 | 98.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 448 | 28 | 593 | 563 | 8 | 2/56 | 2/56 | 70.37 | 5.69 | 74.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 55 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 0 | – | – | – | 8.00 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| First-Class (FC) | 237 | – | 3,001 | 1,629 | 52 | 5/72 | – | 31.32 | 3.25 | 57.7 | – | 1 | 0 |
| List A | 546 | – | 1,280 | 1,146 | 24 | 3/25 | 3/25 | 47.75 | 5.37 | 53.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s | 222 | 5 | 75 | 97 | 3 | 2/22 | 2/22 | 32.33 | 7.76 | 25.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Records and Milestones
- 624-run partnership with Sangakkara, highest in Test cricket history.
- Over 11,800 Test runs and 12,650 ODI runs.
- One of the few players to score 374 in a Test innings, his career-best.
- Key performer in ICC tournaments, including 2007 and 2011 World Cups.
- Scored centuries in T20 World Cups and finals, showcasing adaptability across formats.
- Known for elegance and consistent performances at home, averaging over 60 in Sri Lanka.
Read More: Yashasvi Jaiswal Debut, Biography, Stats, Net Worth, Wife, IPL Team, Records, Career
Conclusion
Mahela Jayawardene’s career exemplifies talent, consistency and leadership. From record-breaking partnerships to great captaincy, he is an enduring cricketing icon. And he will continue to inspire future generations with his skill, intelligence and sportsmanship on and off the field.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When did Mahela Jayawardene retire from international cricket?
Jayawardene retired from ODIs in March 2015 and Tests in November 2014, ending his illustrious 17-year career.
Q2. What is Mahela Jayawardene’s highest individual score?
His highest Test score is 374 runs against South Africa in 2006, and his highest ODI score is 144.
Q3. How successful was Jayawardene as a captain?
He led Sri Lanka to the World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011. He has also won many Tests abroad, and has transformed Sri Lanka into a more aggressive and tactically aware team.
Q4. What teams did Mahela play for in the IPL?
He represented Delhi Daredevils (Delhi Capitals) and Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings) and was a key figure both as a player and a mentor.
Q5. What is Jayawardene doing post-retirement?
He works as a coach, commentator and cricket mentor, including coaching roles with Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He is also involved in Sri Lanka’s cricket development programmes.
