COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Mar 31 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka’s domestic season has uncovered a powerful batting force, as Sachitha Jayatilake emerged as the leading six-hitter in the Major League Tournament 2025/26, delivering a series of eye-catching performances that highlight his growing influence in the game.
In a four-day competition often dominated by patience and technique, the 29-year-old right-hander brought a refreshing attacking edge. Jayatilake hammered a tournament-high 25 sixes in just nine innings, finishing ahead of quality performers such as Pavan Ratnayake and Dinesh Chandimal, who also enjoyed productive seasons with the bat.
Representing Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club, Jayatilake compiled 539 runs at a solid average of 40.69, including a century and three half-centuries, while remaining unbeaten in two innings. Alongside his powerful hitting, he also struck 33 boundaries, underlining his ability to combine aggression with consistency.
What stood out most was his natural range. Strong through the off side and equally commanding down the ground, Jayatilake showed a wide array of strokes, often taking the attack to bowlers and shifting momentum in his team’s favour. In cricketing terms, he kept the scoreboard ticking and the pressure firmly on the opposition.
His power-hitting credentials were also evident on the international stage. At the Hong Kong Sixes, he produced a memorable unbeaten 53 off just 13 balls in the Bowl Final against the UAE, earning Player of the Final honours. The innings, which included six towering sixes, remains one of his standout performances.
Jayatilake also showed his ability to deliver quick bursts against strong opposition, striking 20 runs off just six balls against India in the same tournament, highlighting his confidence and fearless approach.
A product of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Jayatilake captained the school’s First XI in 2016 and has steadily progressed through the ranks. He represented Sri Lanka at Under-19 level, including being part of the squad when Pakistan Under-19 toured Sri Lanka, and was also named in the final 25-member squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in 2016. He later featured in Sri Lanka A and Development squads and was also part of the Sri Lanka contingent at the 2023 Asian Games, gaining valuable international exposure.
In recent months, he has continued to stay in the mix, featuring in Twenty20 World Cup warm-up matches, including games against Oman, further sharpening his skills in the shortest format.
Jayatilake’s journey reflects persistence and steady growth. From school cricket to domestic success and glimpses on the international stage, he has built his career step by step, letting his performances do the talking.
As the game continues to evolve, players who can balance consistency with clean hitting remain vital. In this season, Jayatilake has shown he possesses both — a combination that adds depth and excitement to Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket arena.
