Dimuth Karunaratne, the former Sri Lankan Test captain, has announced his retirement from international cricket following the conclusion of his 100th Test match against Australia in Galle, scheduled to start on Thursday (Feb 06).
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| Image Credits: Circle of Cricket |
Karunaratne, aged 36, has been a pivotal figure in Sri Lanka's Test side since his debut in 2012, amassing 7,172 runs at an average of just under 40, including 16 centuries and 39 half-centuries. His leadership was instrumental in guiding Sri Lanka to a historic 2-0 series win in South Africa in early 2019, making him the only Asian captain to achieve this feat.
His recent performances have seen a dip, with Karunaratne averaging only 27.05 since the start of 2024, which, coupled with the scarcity of Test matches for Sri Lanka, has influenced his decision to retire. Karunaratne's decision also comes at the end of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle (2023-25), adding a poetic closure to his career.
Karunaratne's retirement marks the end of an era for Sri Lankan cricket, as he is going to become the 7th Sri Lankan to play 100 Tests for the nation. His final match promises to be an emotional affair, not just for Karunaratne but for fans and teammates alike, celebrating a career that was defined by resilience, leadership, and significant contributions to Sri Lanka's Test cricket legacy.
