Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka - Player profile

Sanath Jayasuriya didn’t invent pinch-hitting, the art of going for quick runs early on in a side’s innings. However, he was one half of the innovation of having two pinch-hitters, alongside Romesh Kaluwitharana, as Sri Lanka stormed the World Cup back in 1996.

With his fantastically aggressive approach, he redefined what a decent 50 over total was, chasing down innumerable massive targets. He’s getting on a bit now, meaning he looks even more like a benevolent uncle. He’s a massively underrated spin bowler as well. Sri Lanka will need him.

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