Dimuth Karunaratne bid farewell to Test cricket on Sunday after playing his 100th and final match against Australia in Galle, calling it a very emotional day. The veteran opener had the honor of bowling the final few balls of the match before Australia secured a nine-wicket win and wrapped up the series before lunch on the fourth day.
Reflecting on his long career, Karunaratne expressed gratitude for the time spent with his teammates, saying that after his family and friends, he had spent the most time with them. He admitted that leaving them was difficult but that the team would always remain in his heart.
Karunaratne, who led Sri Lanka’s batting order for over a decade, had announced ahead of the second Test in Galle that he would retire after the match. Although he played a significant role in Sri Lankan cricket, he struggled to score a century in his last 25 Test innings.
Taking over as captain in 2019 during a challenging period, Karunaratne led Sri Lanka to a historic Test series victory in South Africa, a feat no other Asian team has accomplished on South African soil. His calm and composed leadership was praised for bringing much-needed stability to the team. In 2023, he stepped down as captain, stating that it was time for younger players to take charge.
Although retiring from international cricket, Karunaratne has no plans to leave the sport entirely. He revealed his intention to pursue a coaching career and said he wanted to qualify for it. He added that he would begin training for coaching either in Sri Lanka or abroad.
With years of experience and a strong leadership record, Karunaratne’s next chapter in cricket could see him guiding and shaping the next generation of Sri Lankan players.
