Sri Lanka opener Lahiru Udara scripted history at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 match with an unbeaten 63-ball 132. The Kandy Royals opener's 132 is the highest score by a Sri Lanka batter in a successful T20 run chase (including T20Is, domestic T20s and franchise T20 cricket). Udara broke an 18-year-old record that belonged to legendary Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2008, Jayasuriya had scored an unbeaten 114 from 48 balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a successful run chase at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Udara single-handedly carried the run chase of 209 on his back. For Galle Gallants, opener Sam Harper and Charith Asalanka scored in 70s to take the score to 208/3. Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi conceded 47 runs each in their respective quota of four overs.
Udara wreaks havoc, Javed’s forgettable outing
In the run chase, Udara hit Chamika Karunaratne for three fours in first over. In the fourth over, he targeted Eshan Malinga with two sixes and as many fours. He completed his fifty in just 21 balls, hitting Akif Javed for a couple of fours in the fifth over. He hit Tharindu Ratnayake for a six and four consecutive fours, taking Kandy Royals' score to 83 for no loss at the end of powerplay overs.
In the eighth over, Pawan Sandesh departed for a 17-ball 23. Hasaranga contributed with a 10-ball 16 before falling to Malinga. Sachindu Colombage struck twice in the 13th over with wickets of Moeen Ali and Dale Phillips. Udara reached his maiden T20 century from 54 deliveries. Angelo Mathews left the field retired hurt before the penultimate over. Royals needed 24 runs in the last two overs. Javed was tasked to bowl the penultimate over. Vijay Shankar found a boundary, Javed erred with wides and a no ball. Udara hit three sixes in the penultimate over to take Royals over the line with six wickets in hand and seven balls to spare. Udara's 132 off 63 balls was laced with 15 fours and seven sixes. Javed ended up conceding 66 runs.
Udara breaks Nissanka’s record too
Udara became the 10th batter to score a century in LPL history. He also broke Pathum Nissanka's record for highest score in the competition history. Nissanka had scored 119 from 59 balls for Jaffna Kings against Kandy Falcons (now Kandy Royals) in LPL 2024.
The record-breaking knock made him the leading run-scorer in the LPL 2026. From seven innings, he has scored 354 runs, averaging 59 at a strike rate of 160.18. Apart from the ton, he has three fifties as well.
Udara to be in action vs India?
Udara is expected to be in action in the Test series at home against India next month. In his previous Test appearance against West Indies, he scored 188 runs from 248 balls. He has played only three Tests so far, scoring 266 runs.