Marvan Atapattu was one of the legends of Sri Lankan cricket. He was an elegant batter who won numerous games for Sri Lanka across formats. Especially in test cricket, he was the backbone of the batting between 1990 and 2003. Atapattu made his test debut in November 1990 against India, but it was not a good start.
He registered two ducks in his first two innings. However, he went on to become a prolific scorer for his country in both formats. In his test career, he played 90 games and scored 5502 runs at an average of 39.02. He also scored 16 centuries and 17 half-centuries. Notably, out of 16, he had six scores of 200 or more. In this article, we will talk about his all double centuries in test cricket.
Atapattu Double Century List in Test Cricket
| Score | Against | Venue | Date |
| 223 | Zimbabwe | Kandy | 7 January 1998 |
| 216* | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 18 November 1999 |
| 207* | Pakistan | Kandy | 28 June 2000 |
| 201* | England | Galle | 22 February 2001 |
| 201 | Bangladesh | Colombo | 6 September 2001 |
| 249 | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 14 May 2004 |
1. Marvan Atapattu – 223 vs Zimbabwe in 1998
Atapattu converted his second century into a double hundred. He made it in January 1998 against Zimbabwe in Kandy. It was the first test, and Sri Lanka declared their first inning at 469/9. Atapattu scored 223 runs in the first inning with 29 fours and one six. Zimbabwe registered 140 and 338 (f/o) in two innings, and Sri Lanka won that game by 8 wickets, chasing a 10-run target in the second inning.
2. Marvan Atapattu – 216 not out vs Zimbabwe in 1999
The next double hundred for Atapattu also came against Zimbabwe. But this time, he scored it in the away game. It came in Bulawayo in November 1999. Batting first, Zimbabwe made 286 in 96.2 overs. Sri Lanka responded with 428 all out. Atapattu was the lone survivor who carried his bat through and remained unbeaten on 216. Zimbabwe were at 136/3 when the game ended in a draw.
3. Marvan Atapattu – 207 not out vs Pakistan in 2000
Marvan Atapattu scored his third double century in June 2000. He made it in the third test of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in Kandy. Batting first, Sri Lanka had a record-breaking start. Both openers added 335 runs in 114.2 overs for the first wicket. Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya made 188, while Atapattu scored his third double ton. He made 207 not out with 19 fours and one six. Sri Lanka were at 467/5 when the match was stopped by rain and ended without any result.
4. Marvan Atapattu – 201 not out vs England in 2001
Atapattu scored his fourth double test ton in February 2001 against England. Sri Lanka toured England for three tests. It was the first test in Galle. Batting first, Sri Lanka declared their first inning at 470/5 in 170 overs. Atapattu carried his bat through and scored an unbeaten 201 with 18 fours. England got all out for 253 and 189, and Sri Lanka won that game by an inning and 28 runs.
5. Marvan Atapattu – 201 vs Bangladesh in 2001
Atapattu scored his second double century in 2021 against Bangladesh in September 2001 at home. It was the second game of two tests in Colombo. Bangladesh got all out for just 90 runs in the first inning. Sri Lanka made 555/5 and declared their first inning with a lead of 465. Atapattu made 201 with 27 fours. Bangladesh got dismissed for 328 in the second inning and lost by an inning and 137 runs.
6. Marvan Atapattu – 249 vs Zimbabwe in 2004
Atapattu scored his sixth and final double century against Zimbabwe, which was his third against this team. It came in May 2004 in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe posted scores of 228 and 231 in the two innings of the game. Sri Lanka batted once and declared at 713/3. Atapattu scored 249 runs, and Sri Lanka won by an inning and 254 runs.