Pathum Nissanka etched his name into the record books with his maiden T20 international century, becoming the first Sri Lankan to reach three figures against India in the format. By doing so, he joined Virat Kohli and Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat as just the third batter to notch up a hundred in the Asia Cup’s T20 history.
He reached the landmark in emphatic fashion, punishing a missed yorker from Arshdeep Singh with a crisp lofted drive down the ground. With flawless timing, the opener sent the ball sailing over the bowler’s head before removing his helmet to acknowledge the crowd’s cheers.
The knock was a blend of poise and dominance, a statement innings that underlined his authority in the clash, even though Nissanka remained aware that the job of completing the chase was still unfinished. His unbeaten 101 in Dubai now sits alongside Hayat’s 122 against Oman in 2016 and Kohli’s unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan in 2022.
Interestingly, all three T20 centuries in Asia Cup history have come in dead rubbers after elimination, yet Nissanka’s effort carried weight—showcasing his class while dismantling India’s bowling to give Sri Lanka a fighting chance at salvaging pride. Here are some fans reaction:
A glorious maiden T20I century for Pathum Nissanka 🌟👏#INDvSL 📝: https://t.co/RoEevXOJrW pic.twitter.com/wSuFSCRmmm
— ICC (@ICC) September 26, 2025
What a inning 🫡 PATHUM NISSANKA
#AsiaCup2025live #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/1LL3F81BZW
— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) September 26, 2025
High class batting from Pathum Nissanka. Top 💯
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 26, 2025
Watching Pathum Nissanka bat feels like Sri Lanka’s past & present colliding, with Aravinda’s audacity stitched into Mahela’s silk. He bats like the island itself; serene yet unyielding, carrying the cricketing soul in strokes that murmur softly yet resound like eternal chants. pic.twitter.com/bci5ICLmFa
— Abhishek AB (@ABsay_ek) September 26, 2025
Pathum Nissanka is the most underrated batter in the world currently. Superstar. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/uhp1xIeOp1
— yash (@yxshw27) September 26, 2025
I hope this innings creates a new high in the career of the very gifted Pathum Nissanka. Sri Lanka must look after him and create the right environment for such talents to blossom.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 26, 2025
A CENTURY FOR PATHUM NISSANKA!! 🔥 🇱🇰
A CENTURY AGAINST INDIA!!
THE GOAT 🐐 OF CRICKET JUST MADE A STATEMENT! pic.twitter.com/exHKi3lpdT
— Kanishka Roshan (@KrosaniTy) September 26, 2025
Pathum Nissanka Becomes Fourth Sri Lankan To Score A T20I Century
Pathum Nissanka’s innings also elevated him into an exclusive club of Sri Lankan batters with T20I centuries. Before him, only Mahela Jayawardene (100 vs Zimbabwe, 2010), Tillakaratne Dilshan (104* vs Australia, 2011), and Kusal Perera (101 vs New Zealand, 2025) had managed the feat.
His elegant knock, marked by fluent strokeplay and calm execution, highlighted Sri Lanka’s proud batting legacy and firmly secured his place among the nation’s greats. Partnering with Perera, who added a brisk half-century of his own, Nissanka helped stitch together a commanding second-wicket stand of more than 100 runs.
Their partnership swung the momentum firmly in Sri Lanka’s favour, keeping them well on track in pursuit of 203. Earlier, India had become the first side in this edition to breach the 200-run mark after skipper Charith Asalanka chose to bowl. Abhishek Sharma’s dazzling 61 off 31 balls set the foundation, while Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 49 provided late fireworks, taking India to 202.
With a spot in the final already assured, India were eyeing a sixth consecutive win, while Sri Lanka fought to prevent a third successive defeat.
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