Mahela Jayawardene, born on May 27, 1977 (48 years old) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a legendary cricketer known for his smooth batting and smart captaincy.
He played for Sri Lanka for many years and scored over 11,000 runs in both Test and ODI matches.
Mahela also led the team to the 2007 World Cup final and helped them win the 2014 T20 World Cup.
After retiring, he became a top coach, guiding teams like the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
He’s loved for his calm style and deep knowledge of the game.
Keep on reading Mahela Jayawardene’s Biography to find out more about his wife, daughter, family, career, facts, and more.
Mahela Jayawardene Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Denagamage Proboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene |
| Profession | Former Sri Lankan international cricketer (batsman), cricket coach of the Mumbai Indians team |
| Age | 48 years old |
| Date of Birth | May 27, 1977 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Birthplace | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Mahela Jayawardene Wife & Children
Mahela Jayawardene has currently married to Natasha Makalanda since December 2021. The wedding was held in a private ceremony with close family and friends.
Before this, Mahela was married to Christina Mallika Sirisena in 2005, but the couple later separated.
First Wife
Mahela Jayawardene was first married to Christina Mallika Sirisena in 2005.
Christina was known to the public mainly through her relationship with Mahela, and she preferred to stay away from the spotlight.
Their marriage lasted for several years, and during that time, they had a daughter, Sansa.
The couple eventually separated, though the exact reason for getting separation is yet to be updated.
Second Wife
Natasha Makalanda is the current wife. She is a former Sri Lankan flight attendant, and it is believed they met during her time in aviation.
She maintains a low public profile, and personal information like her age, birthplace, and family background is yet to be updated.
Natasha and Mahela have been seen together at several high-profile events, including celebrity weddings in India.
Children
He has one daughter, named Sansa Arya Jayawardene, born in 2006 with his first wife, Christina.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Ex-wife: Christina Mallika Sirisena Current wife: Natasha Makalanda |
| Children | Daughter: Sansa Arya Jayawardene |
Mahela Jayawardene Family
Mahela Jayawardene was born into a loving and supportive family in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
His father’s name is Senerath Jayawardene, and his mother’s name is Sunila Jayawardene. His parents encouraged his interest in cricket from a young age and played a big role in shaping his early life.
Mahela had a younger brother named Dhishal Jayawardene, who sadly passed away at the age of 16 due to a brain tumor.
This loss deeply affected Mahela and inspired him to support cancer-related causes. He has been involved with several charity efforts in memory of his brother.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Senerath Jayawarden Mother: Sunila Jayawardene |
| Siblings | Brother: Dhishal Jayawardene |
Mahela Jayawardene Education
Mahela Jayawardene began his education at Nalanda College in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is known for producing many talented cricketers. It was during his time at Nalanda College that Mahela’s cricketing talent began to shine.
| School | Yet to be updated |
| Alma Mater | Nalanda College, Colombo |
| Highest Qualification | Yet to be updated |
Mahela Jayawardene Career
Mahela’s cricket story began at Nalanda College in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He was a top performer at the school level and captained the first XI team.
His calm attitude and clever playing style impressed the selectors, and he quickly entered professional cricket.
International Debut and Rise
Mahela started playing Test and ODI cricket for Sri Lanka in 1997. He was soon known for his smooth batting and calm style on the field.
Over his international career, he scored over 11,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs, a rare achievement.
One of his proudest moments came in 2006, when he scored 374 runs in a single Test match against South Africa, the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan player.
He also became the team captain and led Sri Lanka to the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup final.
Big Achievements
- Scored 374 runs in a Test match – the 4th highest in Test cricket history.
- Had a famous batting partnership with Kumar Sangakkara.
- Played in many World Cup finals in both ODI and T20 formats.
- Helped Sri Lanka win the T20 World Cup in 2014.
- Played more than 600 matches for Sri Lanka before retiring in 2015.
Coaching Career After Retirement
After retiring from international cricket in 2015, Mahela turned to coaching.
He worked with different teams as a consultant, including the England national team, and various T20 league teams like Khulna Titans (BPL) and Southern Brave (The Hundred).
In 2017, he became the Head Coach of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League.
Under his leadership, MI won the IPL title in 2017, 2019, and 2020, making them one of the most successful IPL teams.
Global Promotion in 2022
In 2022, Mahela was given a bigger role as the Global Head of Cricket for all Mumbai Indians teams around the world.
This role put him in charge of the Mumbai Indians’ global teams, including:
- MI Cape Town (South Africa)
- MI Emirates (UAE)
- MI New York (USA)
Return as MI Head Coach in 2024
In October 2024, Mahela returned to his former role as Head Coach of Mumbai Indians, replacing Mark Boucher for the IPL 2025 season.
After a poor 2024 performance, MI turned back to Mahela’s experience to rebuild the team and aim for better results.
Tactics and Performance in IPL 2025
In IPL 2025, Mahela Jayawardene showed smart game planning. He used Rohit Sharma as an impact substitute, taking advantage of new rules.
He also backed young talent like Deepak Chahar, showing faith in the team’s future. His leadership helped the team build momentum with a six-match winning streak during the season.
Goal: Another IPL Title
Mahela’s current focus is to guide Mumbai Indians back to the playoffs and hopefully win another IPL trophy.
With his calm mindset and deep cricket knowledge, he continues to be one of the most trusted names in the cricket world.
| Year | Role | Team / Organization |
| 1997 | Test & ODI Debut | Sri Lanka National Team |
| 2006 | Scored 374—a Test record | Sri Lanka vs South Africa |
| 2014 | Led team to T20 World Cup win | Sri Lanka National Team |
| 2015 | Retired from International Cricket | — |
| 2015–2016 | Batting Consultant / Coach | England Team, The Hundred, BPL |
| 2017–2022 | Head Coach | Mumbai Indians (IPL) |
| 2022–2024 | Global Head of Cricket / Performance | Mumbai Indians franchise teams |
| 2025 | Head Coach (return) | Mumbai Indians (IPL) |
Awards and Achievements
Mahela Jayawardene earned several major awards throughout his cricket career. Some details are still yet to be updated, where official information is limited.
| Year | Award / Achievement | Why He Won It |
| 2001‑02 | Player of the Series – Khaleej Times Trophy | Scored 252 runs and helped Sri Lanka win the series in the UAE |
| 2006 | ICC Captain of the Year | Recognized as the best cricket captain by the ICC in 2006 |
| 2006 | Captain of the ODI Team of the Year (ICC) | Selected as ODI team captain in the ICC’s World Team of the Year |
| 2007 | Wisden Cricketer of the Year | Named by Wisden as one of the five best players in 2007 |
| 2007 | Player of the Series – Afro‑Asia Cup (Asia XI) | Scored 217 runs and led Asia XI to a series win |
| 2013 | ICC Spirit of Cricket Award | Honoured for sportsmanship and fair play |
| 2021 | Inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame | Acknowledged as a cricket legend with a long and historic career |
Controversies
Below is a quick look at some of the key controversies involving Mahela Jayawardene during his cricket and coaching career.
| Year | Controversy | Description |
| 2011 | Disputed Catch vs Michael Clarke | Questioned an umpiring decision during a Test match; fined 10% of the match fee. |
| 2020 | 2011 World Cup Final Match-Fixing Claim | Denied allegations made by ex-minister; no proof found, case closed. |
| 2024 | Resigned as Sri Lanka Consultant Coach | Unexpectedly stepped down; no official reason shared after World Cup failures. |
| 2025 | Tactical ‘Retired Out’ Controversy (IPL) | Criticized for retiring out Tilak Varma in a key IPL match to favor a batting strategy. |
| 2025 | Dugout Interference (IPL Qualifier 2) | Accused by Harbhajan Singh of giving excessive instructions to bowlers like Bumrah mid-match. |
Mahela Jayawardene Net Worth, Salary
Mahela Jayawardene has an estimated net worth of around $10 million. His annual income is yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $10 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Mahela Jayawardene Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Mahela Jayawardene has a calm and athletic appearance, reflecting his disciplined cricket career.
He stands around 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighs about 71 kg (157 lbs). He has black hair and dark brown eyes.
| Height | In centimetres: 173 cm In meters: 1.73 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 71 k In lbs: 157 lbs |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
Mahela Jayawardene Instagram, X, Facebook
 @mahela27 | |
| X |  @mahelajay |
 @Official.Mahela.Jayawardena |
Interesting Facts About Mahela Jayawardene
- Mahela Jayawardene scored the highest-ever Test score (374) by a Sri Lankan player.
- His younger brother Dhishal passed away from a brain tumor at age 16.
- Jayawardene co-founded a tech company named “Gamer.LK” after retirement.
- Mahela is a qualified cricket coach, despite not attending a formal university.
- He once turned down a coaching offer from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
- Mahela has a strong love for wildlife photography and the outdoors.
- In 2021, he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
FAQs
Who is Mahela Jayawardene married to now?
Mahela Jayawardene has been married to Natasha Makalanda since December 2021, after his first marriage ended.
What is Mahela Jayawardene’s highest score in cricket?
Mahela Jayawardene’s highest score is 374 runs in a Test match against South Africa in 2006.
How many World Cups has Mahela Jayawardene played in?
Mahela Jayawardene has played in five World Cups, including reaching the finals in 2007 and 2011.
What is Mahela Jayawardene doing now?
Mahela Jayawardene is the Head Coach of Mumbai Indians in the IPL and oversees MI’s global cricket programs.
Does Mahela Jayawardene have children?
Yes, Mahela Jayawardene has one daughter, Sansa Arya Jayawardene, born in 2006 from his first marriage.
