Sri Lanka's esteemed opener, Dimuth Karunaratne, has announced his retirement from Test cricket after the conclusion of this week's second Test against Australia in Galle, which will also be his 100th Test match. The 36-year-old left-handed batsman leaves the game having scored an impressive 7,172 runs in his 99 Tests, placing him fourth on Sri Lanka's all-time Test run-scorers list, behind legends like Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Karunaratne’s journey began with his debut at Galle, and he expressed his sentiment about concluding his career at the same venue, stating, "It will be nice to finish things there." This match holds particular significance, as it also serves as an opportunity for Sri Lanka to equal the series against Australia following a heavy defeat in the first Test.

Reflecting on his decision, Karunaratne shared, "It was the right time to go, considering there are three or four younger players who could come in for the next World Test Championship cycle." He captained Sri Lanka in 30 Tests from 2019 to 2023, boasting 12 wins and 12 losses, with a standout achievement being a 2-0 series victory in South Africa.

Though Karunaratne also played 50 One-Day Internationals, including a stint at the 2023 World Cup, he carved his reputation as a gritty opener in the longer format of the game. He noted the difficulties of reaching 100 Tests, especially as an opener, saying, "Playing 100 Tests is a tough thing to accomplish, especially when you're an opening batter doing the dirty work for the team." Despite his illustrious career, he expressed a tinge of regret at not reaching the milestone of 10,000 Test runs, something he felt was within reach until disruptions like COVID-19 impacted his team's schedule.

As he prepares to hang up his boots, the cricketing world looks forward to honoring a player who has deeply impacted Sri Lankan cricket. While his absence will be felt, his legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of cricketers in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Related Topics: Sri Lanka Cricket, Test cricket, Dimuth Karunaratne, Retirement, Cricket History