Mahela Jayawardene is a famous cricket player from Sri Lanka. He played for many years and scored many runs. Known for his calm style and good leadership. A true team player. Cricket fans remember him well.
Biography
| Full Name | Denagamage Praboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene |
|---|---|
| Native Name | දෙනගමගේ ප්රබෝත් මහේල ද සිල්වා ජයවර්ධන (Sinhala) |
| Date of Birth | 27 May 1977 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Profession | Former Professional Cricketer, Captain of Sri Lankan National Team, TV Commentator, Board Member, Sports Administrator |
| International Career Span | About 18 years |
| Debut |
Test: August 1997 ODI: January 1998 |
| Captaincy Highlights |
Led Sri Lanka to win the 2008 Asia Cup Named best International captain of the year by ICC in 2006 |
| Major Achievements |
|
| Notable Partnerships & Rivalries | Close friendship and healthy rivalry with Kumar Sangakkara, forming record-breaking partnerships |
| Post-playing Career |
|
Early Life
Mahela Jayawardene was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He grew up in a regular family. His father worked as a businessman, and his mother was a teacher. Mahela started playing cricket when he was young. He first played soft-ball cricket and then played for his school team. Later, he moved to focus more on cricket as he grew older. His early years were simple but full of learning and practice. This helped him build a strong foundation for his future career.
Family
| Relation | Name | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Senarath Jayawardene | Senarath is Mahela’s father. He supported Mahela’s interest in cricket when he was young. Senarath is a simple man who values family and education. |
| Mother | Sunila Jayawardene | Sunila is Mahela’s mother. She helped raise Mahela and his siblings with care and love. She is known for being kind and caring in the family. |
| Sibling | Dhishal Jayawardene | Dhishal is Mahela’s brother. Like Mahela, he has shown interest in sports. The brothers share a close bond and support each other. |
| Sibling | Christina Mallika Sirisena | Christina is Mahela’s sister. She is part of the family and shares a good relationship with Mahela. The siblings often spend time together. |
Mahela Jayawardene comes from a close family. His parents, Senarath and Sunila, raised him with strong values. He has two siblings, Dhishal and Christina, who have good relationships with him. The family supports each other in many ways. They live simply and enjoy spending time together. This strong family bond helped Mahela in his life and career.
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Age | 48 years (as of 2024) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Mahela Jayawardene, the famous Sri Lankan cricketer, is currently married to Natasha Makalanda. They have a strong and private relationship. Natasha works as a flight attendant. Not much is shared about her personal life, but the couple often appears together at events. They got married in recent years, and their marriage is well respected among fans and friends.
About Natasha Makalanda
Natasha Makalanda is a flight attendant by profession. She keeps her life private and away from the public eye. She supports Mahela quietly and attends important occasions with him.
Previous Relationship
Before marrying Natasha, Mahela Jayawardene was married to Christina Mallika Sirisena. Christina studied in India at Mount Carmel College. Their marriage ended before Mahela married Natasha. There is little public information about their time together, and Mahela prefers to keep those memories private.
Summary Of Mahela Jayawardene’s Partners
| Partner Name | Relationship Type | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Christina Mallika Sirisena | First Wife (Divorced) | Studied in India at Mount Carmel College |
| Natasha Makalanda | Current Wife | Flight attendant; married recently; private life |
Mahela Jayawardene has kept his personal life mostly private. But it is clear he values his relationships and family above all.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Mahela Jayawardene is a well-known former cricket player from Sri Lanka. He became famous because of his skill in batting and his leadership as a captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. People admired him for being calm and smart on the field. His performances in important matches made him a popular sports figure, not only in Sri Lanka but worldwide.
Mahela started his cricket career playing for a local club called Sinhalese Sports Club in Sri Lanka. He quickly showed talent and was selected to play for the national team. He played in many Test matches and One Day Internationals (ODIs). One of his most famous achievements is scoring a double century (200 runs or more) in Test cricket.
Jayawardene was known for his stylish batting and strong partnerships with other players, especially Kumar Sangakkara. He helped Sri Lanka reach the final of the 2007 Cricket World Cup and was part of the team that won many important matches. As a captain, he led Sri Lanka with good strategy and patience.
- He is Sri Lanka’s most capped Test player, meaning he played the most Test matches for his country.
- Scored multiple double centuries in Test cricket.
- Ranked among the top batsmen in the world during his career.
- Received several awards for his contribution to cricket, including player of the year awards in Sri Lanka.
- Appointed as a coach and consultant after retiring from playing, showing his importance in cricket beyond just playing.
Mahela Jayawardene’s career has been mostly free of major controversies. However, there were some moments when decisions around team management or coaching roles caused discussions in the media. For example, he resigned from a coaching position after disagreements about the team’s direction. These issues were mostly about how the team should move forward and did not involve personal scandals.
Overall, Jayawardene is respected for his sportsmanship and leadership. He is seen as a positive figure in cricket, focusing on the game and the team rather than controversies.
Faq
Who Is Mahela Jayawardene?
Mahela Jayawardene is a former cricket player from Sri Lanka. He played for the national team and was known for his good batting skills.
When Did Mahela Jayawardene Play Cricket?
He played international cricket from 1997 to 2015. During this time, he became one of the best batsmen in the world.
What Is Mahela Jayawardene Famous For?
He is famous for scoring many runs and leading the Sri Lankan team as a captain. He also helped his team win important matches.
Did Mahela Jayawardene Play In All Types Of Cricket?
Yes. He played Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) games for Sri Lanka.
What Did Mahela Do After He Stopped Playing?
After retiring, Mahela became a coach and cricket commentator. He shares his knowledge to help new players and explains cricket in TV shows.
Is Mahela Jayawardene Considered One Of The Best?
Many people think so. He scored many runs and played for a long time. His calm way of playing made him special.
Mayank Chaudhary is a former Indian domestic cricketer, now working as a cricket analyst. With years of on-field experience and deep insight into the dynamics of the game and the world of cricket betting, he now shares his expertise to help fellow cricket enthusiasts make smarter, more informed bets. Learn more on the About Me page.