Dimuth Karunaratne, one of Sri Lanka’s most accomplished opening batsmen and former Test captain, has announced his decision to retire from all forms of cricket after playing his 100th Test match. This milestone match is scheduled against Australia at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, starting on 6 February 2025.
Karunaratne cited several reasons for his retirement:
•Limited Test Matches: He highlighted the challenge of maintaining motivation and form with Sri Lanka playing only about four Tests annually, especially after the introduction of the World Test Championship, which has led to fewer bilateral series.
•Personal Plans: He plans to migrate to Australia with his family next month.
•Current Form: Reflecting on his recent performances, Karunaratne noted a decline in his batting form.
He also mentioned discussions with fellow senior players Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, agreeing that staggered retirements would benefit the team. Recognizing that reaching 10,000 Test runs was unlikely due to the limited number of matches, he expressed satisfaction with his achievements to date.
Karunaratne’s final appearance in domestic cricket will be for the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) against the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) in the SLC Major Club 3-Day Tournament from 14 to 16 February at the NCC Ground.
Throughout his career, Karunaratne has been a pivotal figure in Sri Lankan cricket, known for his resilience and leadership. His contributions have solidified his place among the nation’s cricketing greats.
