Sri Lanka has always produced some of the best spinners in the game, who went on to rule the world. But their stock has always been full when it comes to batting legends as well. Over the years, the Sri Lankan cricket team has been blessed with big names in their batting department who have consistently performed against all opponents.
Sri Lanka holds numerous records, including the highest test score, the highest test partnership, and many others. And the prime reason for all of these is their batting depth. Thus, we bring you a list of some of the best batters for Sri Lanka, who went on to score the most test runs in a calendar year.
Most Test Runs in a Calendar Year for Sri Lanka
| Player | Year | Mts | Runs | Avg | HS | 50s | 100s |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 2014 | 12 | 1493 | 71.09 | 319 | 9 | 4 |
| Angelo Mathews | 2014 | 12 | 1317 | 87.80 | 160 | 8 | 3 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 1997 | 11 | 1271 | 66.89 | 340 | 7 | 3 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 2006 | 11 | 1242 | 69.00 | 287 | 4 | 4 |
| Thilan Samaraweera | 2009 | 11 | 1234 | 72.58 | 231 | 4 | 4 |
| Aravinda de Silva | 1997 | 11 | 1220 | 76.25 | 168 | 7 | 2 |
5. Thilan Samaraweera – 1234 runs in 2009
Thilan Samaraweera was one of the consistent middle-order batter that Sri Lanka produced. He made his test debut in August 2001 against India and scored a century (103*) on debut. The right-hander scored the fifth-most runs in a calendar year for his country. He was the highest run-getter in 2009 among all teams. Samaraweera made 1234 runs in 11 games at 72.58 with a best of 231, including four centuries and four half-centuries.
4. Kumar Sangakkara – 1242 runs in 2006
2006 was a brilliant year of test cricket when a number of players scored heavy runs. In that year itself, Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf (1788 runs) made the record for most runs in a calendar year. In that same year, Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara also scored the most runs for his country. The southpaw played 11 games and made 1242 runs at 69, with a best of 287. He made four centuries and four half-centuries.
3. Sanath Jayasuriya – 1271 runs in 1997
Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the biggest names that came from Sri Lanka to play the game. The left-hander was a brilliant batter and more than part-time bowler with 440 international wickets. He was the highest run-scorer in 1997 year in the longest format. The southpaw played 11 games and scored 1271 runs at 66.89. He scored three centuries and seven half-centuries in 1997, including his career-best of 340 runs.
2. Angelo Mathews – 1317 runs in 2014
Angelo Mathews is probably the best player for Sri Lanka in the last decade or so. Since making his debut in 2009, Mathews has been a key member of the team across all three formats. His best year in test cricket came in 2014, when he ended up as the second-highest run-getter of the year. He scored 1317 runs in 12 games at 87.80, with a best of 160. Mathews also made three centuries and eight half-centuries in that year.
1. Kumar Sangakkara – 1493 runs in 2014
Kumar Sangakkara ended up being the highest run scorer and century maker for Sri Lanka in cricket. Thus, his name at the top is normal. The southpaw holds the record for the most runs for Sri Lanka in a calendar year, which came in 2014. He played 12 games in 2014 and scored 1493 runs at an average of 71.09, including his career-best score of 319. He made four centuries and nine half-centuries in 2014.