Sri Lanka’s opener Nissanka scores maiden T20I hundred vs India

In the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match against India, Pathum Nissanka, a right-handed opener for Sri Lanka, accomplished a remarkable milestone by scoring his maiden T20I century. After setting a demanding goal of 203 runs to chase in Dubai on Friday, Nissanka displayed a masterful and composed innings to keep Sri Lanka in the game throughout the edgy run chase.

The opener built a match-high value partnership with a veteran, Kusal Perera, for the second wicket that was 127. The partnership is now also the third-highest partnership for Sri Lanka for any wicket in T20Is, ranking behind the celebrated partnerships of Jayawardene-Sangakkara and Dilshan-Jayawardene in World Cups. Nissanka lost his partner early, due to a dismissal at the behest of Kusal Mendis, but he was able to steady the ship and score 47 runs in the powerplay single-handedly.

Nissanka first reached fifty from 25 balls, while dominating the Indian bowlers, and continued onwards to a quick century after the wicket of Perera in the thirteenth over. Even as India picked up regular wickets to narrow the match swing to their advantage, Nissanka was not deterred after scoring his century in only 52 balls. Moreover, the innings secured Nissanka as the very first batter from Sri Lanka to score a T20I hundred against India, while exceeding the record from the overall position of 79 set in 2024.

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Nissanka's century was a lesson in timing and technique. He took control of a wayward yorker from Arshdeep Singh, moving across his stumps with balance and striking with power straight down the ground over the bowler's head. It was neither over the top nor underwhelming as he celebrated, taking off his helmet and acknowledging the applause from the crowd.

Before Nissanka's exploits, India had set a target of 202/5 after opting to bat first. Minibus Abhishek Sharma led the way with 61 runs off 31 balls, while Tilak Varma finished with a useful 49 runs off 34 balls. Sharma's knock would also lead him to become the leading run-scorer in an Asia Cup T20I edition ahead of seniors Virat Kohli and Mohammad Rizwan. Sanju Samson added 39 useful runs, providing a total that India would be able to defend at the back of their 3-pronged pace attack.

While Nissanka created his own piece of T20I history, what he also demonstrated, aside from showing power and timing, was the ability to not lose your composure and play in the temperament in a big run chase. The century was reflective of who Nissanka is as a captain and batter. While Sri Lanka had to chase a big total on arrival, it showcased that Nissanka can rise with the pressure of having to anchor and lead his team on the run chase.

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