Mahela Jayawardene is revered as one of Sri Lanka’s most elegant batters and a knowledgeable modern-era captain. Renowned for his calm approach, sharp tactics, and strategic field placements, he guided Sri Lanka through a period of success—his consistency, leadership clarity, and pressure management defined his influential captaincy.
This article presents ICC-recognized captaincy statistics and highlights Jayawardene’s leadership legacy.
Key Metrics in Captaincy Records
- Matches captained
- Matches won
- Matches lost
- Draw / No-Result / Tied
- Win percentage
Test Matches: Mahela Jayawardene as Test Captain
Captaincy Stats (Tests)
| Matches Captained | 38 |
| Matches Won | 18 |
| Matches Lost | 12 |
| Matches Drawn | 8 |
| Win Percentage | 47.36% |
Context
Under Jayawardene’s Test leadership:
- Sri Lanka became dominant at home, especially on turning pitches
- Developed strong batting partnerships with Sangakkara, Dilshan, and Samaraweera.
- Strengthened bowling with Muralitharan & Malinga
- Built a disciplined Test side known for patience and precision
One-Day Internationals: Captaincy Record
Captaincy Stats (ODI)
- Matches captained: 126
- Matches won: 68
- Matches lost: 49
- No-Result: 9
- Win percentage: 53.96%
Context
His ODI leadership is remembered for:
- Leading Sri Lanka to the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup Final
- Creating a balanced ODI squad with batting depth
- Smart field settings and clever bowling rotations
- Strong captaincy partnerships with Sangakkara & Malinga
Format-Wise Captaincy Record
Overall Captaincy Record (Test + ODI Combined)
- Total matches captained: 164
- Total wins: 86
- Total losses: 61
- NR / Draw / Tied: 17
- Overall win percentage: ~52.43%
Captaincy Stats Table — Format-Wise
| Format | Matches | Wins | Losses | NR/Draw/Tied | Win % |
| Test | 38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 47.36% |
| ODI | 126 | 68 | 49 | 9 | 53.96% |
| Overall | 164 | 86 | 61 | 17 | ~52.43% |
Final Thoughts
Mahela Jayawardene’s captaincy remains one of the most respected in world cricket. His intelligence, calm approach, and tactical brilliance helped Sri Lanka:
- Reached two consecutive ICC World Cup finals (2007 and 2011 as vice-captain)
- Maintain a formidable home dominance in both formats
- Build future leaders and world-class match-winners
His impact as both a leader and a world-class batsman continues to inspire future cricketers, securing his legacy as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest captains.
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