Sanath Teran Jayasuriya is a Sri Lankan cricketer. An all-rounder, he has been a member of the Sri Lankan cricket team since 1989. He is the only player to score more than 13,000 runs and capture more than 300 wickets in one day internationals. He is also regarded by many critics and supporters as one of the best ODI players.

Jayasuriya is part of the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian Premier League where he presently opens the batting alongside Sachin Tendulkar. He ran for public office at the 2010 Sri Lankan general elections and was elected to parliament from his native Matara District.

In the first edition of the IPL, Jayasuriya scored 514 runs in the 14 matches that he played, with a highest score of an unbeaten 114, at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 160.62. He smashed 32 sixes and 57 fours in the tournament, in addition to a catch. He took 5 wickets in the tournament, with a best of 3/14 at an average of 31.8, with an economy rate of 7.57 and a strike rate of 25.2.

In the second edition of the IPL, Jayasuriya could contribute only 221 runs at an average of 18.41 with 52 as his highest score. Dropping him in one match and then sending him to bat down the order did not help in getting the best out of the veteran player. Maximum use was not made of his bowling which suited the conditions in South Africa. In one particular over, he claimed three wickets, but in some of the matches where he could have met with success, he was not given a single over, while other bowlers got thrashed.

At 39, Jayasuriya will be the oldest cricketer in the World Twenty20.