Full Name: Denagamage Praboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene Date of Birth: May 27, 1977 Birthplace: Colombo, Sri Lanka Role: Right-Handed Batter | Former Captain Wearing jersey number 78, Mahela Jayawardene embodied poise, grace, and strategic brilliance throughout a stellar career that helped shape modern Sri Lankan cricket. He wasn’t the loudest presence on the field, but his quiet authority and elegant strokeplay spoke volumes. Born in Colombo, Mahela’s introduction to cricket came through his father, who recognized his son's talent early. He attended Nalanda College, a school steeped in cricketing tradition. From the moment he held a bat, Jayawardene looked a class apart. His sound technique, sharp reflexes, and maturity beyond his years made him stand out. Mahela debuted for Sri Lanka in 1997 against India at R. Premadasa Stadium during a record-breaking Test match where Sri Lanka posted 952/6. It was a fitting start—he walked into history from day one. Though he began as a promising middle-order batter, it didn’t take long for him to rise to become one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable and artistic run-scorers. Over his 17-year international career, Jayawardene played 149 Tests, scoring 11,814 runs, and 448 ODIs, amassing 12,650 runs. His strokeplay was smooth and precise—the cover drive, the late cut, the flick through midwicket—each played with the kind of finesse that made watching him a treat. He scored 34 Test centuries, including a career-best 374 against South Africa in 2006, which remains the highest individual Test score by a Sri Lankan and the fourth-highest in history. But Jayawardene was not just a run machine—he was a master tactician and an inspirational leader. As captain, he led Sri Lanka to the 2007 ICC World Cup Final, and was at the helm during a critical phase of transition for the national team. His leadership was marked by calmness, trust in youth, and a deep understanding of the game. Under his guidance, Sri Lanka remained a force in both Tests and ODIs. His partnership with Kumar Sangakkara—on and off the field—is the stuff of legend. Together, they stitched together match-winning stands, most memorably the 624-run stand against South Africa, the highest partnership in Test history. The chemistry they shared as batters and leaders became a cornerstone of Sri Lankan cricket’s golden era. Mahela was also a sharp slip fielder, holding the record for the most catches in Test cricket (205) by a non-wicketkeeper—an often underrated but vital contribution. Off the field, Jayawardene is admired for his humility, articulate thoughts, and philanthropic work. He co-founded the HOPE cancer project after losing his younger brother to the disease—an initiative close to his heart. Post-retirement, Mahela has stayed deeply involved in cricket, coaching Mumbai Indians to IPL titles and offering his strategic brilliance to national teams, including a mentorship role with Sri Lanka Cricket. His legacy continues not just in statistics but in the respect he commands worldwide. With jersey number 78, Mahela Jayawardene remains a symbol of class, commitment, and cricketing intellect—a true servant of the game whose impact transcends generations.