In the opening ODI of a three-game series against Bangladesh at R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka played a defining innings to lift his team from early trouble. Coming in under pressure after a top-order collapse, he showed tremendous maturity and class. His composed strokeplay and leadership with the bat anchored the innings through multiple phases. It wasn’t just a captain’s knock; it was a statement performance at a venue he now owns statistically.
Charith Asalanka’s landmark century and the record he now shares with Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar
Asalanka’s century came just when Sri Lanka needed it the most. Walking in with the team struggling at 29/3, he absorbed the pressure with patience before slowly shifting gears. His innings of 106 from 123 deliveries was a mix of grit and aggression, featuring 6 fours and 4 sixes. He built vital partnerships, notably with Janith Liyanage and later with Milan Rathnayake and Wanindu Hasaranga, never allowing the innings to drift. This was Asalanka’s fifth ODI hundred and his first while leading the side, showcasing his growing stature as a match-winner.
More importantly, it was his fourth ODI century at the R Premadasa Stadium, placing him alongside cricketing royalty. He now shares the record for the most ODI hundreds at this iconic Colombo venue with Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya. The milestone underlines his love affair with this ground and his ability to rise when it matters. Asalanka not only rebuilt the innings but also provided Sri Lanka with a competitive edge. His calm approach and timely acceleration gave the middle and lower order confidence to bat around him. It was a standout performance that could shape the tone for the series.
A rescue act for Sri Lanka led by the captain amid early chaos against Bangladesh
The Sri Lankan innings began on a shaky note after electing to bat first in Colombo. Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis fell cheaply, while Nishan Madushka couldn’t hold on either, leaving the hosts at 29/3 within the first seven overs. Kusal Mendis offered brief resistance with a stroke-filled 45 before falling to Tanvir Islam just before the 19th over. Asalanka then took charge and began the repair work. He formed a 64-run stand with Liyanage and added important runs with Rathnayake and Hasaranga down the order.
The momentum picked up in the middle overs, especially with Asalanka’s well-paced acceleration. Dewan contributions from the lower-middle order pushed the score toward 244. Taskin Ahmed was lethal with the ball, returning figures of 4/47 and picking wickets across spells. Tanzim Sakib supported well with 3 scalps, while Tanvir and Najmul chipped in. However, Bangladesh couldn’t prevent Asalanka from anchoring the innings masterfully. The innings ended at 49.2 overs, with Sri Lanka posting 244, slightly under-par but certainly defendable given the early swing and grip seen on the surface.
Here’s how fans reacted:
A magnificent milestone for our skipper, Charith Asalanka, who smashes his 5th ODI hundred!
But that’s not all – he’s now equalled a remarkable record, hitting 4⃣ hundreds at RPICS Colombo! He joins an elite list alongside legends Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sanath… pic.twitter.com/UswODtNpXV
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) July 2, 2025
Well Done Asalanka!
A captain’s knock when his team was in trouble!— Ulfath Uwais (@UlfathUwais) July 2, 2025
Crisis-Call Charith!!
after so long have a white ball skipper who has earned his position on merit & validated the recognition with repeated clutch performance. It’s an aspect we took for granted during our golden era.
Captain, Charith Asalanka
Just priceless… Period!! pic.twitter.com/ZauiEg1tdW
— Aravinthan Arunthavanathan (@Cricket_decoded) July 2, 2025
Charith Asalanka You Beauty !!!.. Another Magnificent knock by Leader of Sri Lankan Cricket Team.. Keep Up The Good Work… #SLvBAN #CharithAsalanka
— Varuna Gunawardena (@VarunaGune) July 2, 2025
5⃣th ODI hundred for Captain Charith Asalanka #Cricket #SLvBAN #CharithAsalanka pic.twitter.com/s9taL9ohpv
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 2, 2025
Charith Asalanka, the man when the team is in trouble Superb when the team needed the most. 5th ODI hundred for the Sri Lankan skipper. #SLvBAN
— Nirthanan (@nirthanan) July 2, 2025
Charith Asalanka in ODIs since the start of 2024:
22 innings
913 runs
Average: 57
Strike rate 96.7Another ton today: 103* out of Sri Lanka’s 239/8 so far. #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/LAODsbjqXW
— CricBlog (@cric_blog) July 2, 2025
5th ODI ton for CA!
Been a super batter for SL in the middle order, one of the best going around.
Always lovely to watch him bat, hope gets lot more tons.#SLvsBAN
— Nikhil (@CricCrazyNIKS) July 2, 2025
CHARITH R Premadasa
CHARITH ASALANKA’S ODI CENTURIES AT R PREMADASA STADIUM
100* (117) VS BANGLADESH – TODAY
127 (126) VS AUSTRALIA – 2025
101 (95) VS ZIMBABWE – 2024
110 (106) VS AUSTRALIA – 2022#sportspavilionlk #danushkaaravinda #SLvBAN #SLvsBAN pic.twitter.com/mG7zTqNtHS— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) July 2, 2025
– 127(126) vs Australia.
– 78*(66) vs Australia.
– Hundred vs Bangladesh.CAPTAIN CHARITH ASALANKA CONTINUES TO DOMINATE IN ODIs He has 2 Hundreds & 1 fifty in last 3 innings, Sri Lanka is roaring at Colombo.
— (@SajjadPKhan) July 2, 2025
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