Dimuth Karunaratne has confirmed that he will retire from international cricket after the second Test against Australia in Galle, which will also mark his 100th Test appearance. Since making his debut in 2012, the Sri Lankan opener has accumulated 7,172 runs at an average of 39.4, with 16 centuries and 39 fifties.
Speaking about his decision, Karunaratne admitted that staying motivated has become challenging with Sri Lanka playing only four Test matches a year. He also pointed out that the second Test against Australia aligns with the end of the World Test Championship cycle, making it a fitting time to step away. His recent dip in form, with his last century coming 26 innings ago, was another factor in his decision.
“It’s tough for a Test cricketer to stay motivated when you’re only playing four matches a year and trying to maintain form,” he told Daily FT. “Since the introduction of the World Test Championship, we’ve had fewer bilateral series. My current form, the milestone of my 100th Test, and the end of this WTC cycle all played a role in my decision.
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“I also realized that with the limited number of Tests Sri Lanka plays, reaching 10,000 runs isn’t realistic. I’m content with what I’ve achieved so far, and I wanted to retire on a happy note—playing my 100th Test. Every cricketer dreams of playing 100 Tests and scoring 10,000 runs, but given our schedule, I knew the latter goal was out of reach. So, I decided to bow out now, feeling proud of my journey.”
At 36, Karunaratne will be hoping to finish on a high by helping Sri Lanka level the series against Australia in his farewell match.
