Dimuth Karunaratne, the 36-year-old Sri Lankan opener, will retire after his 100th Test against Australia, fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing Test cricket. He expressed peace with his decision after over a decade of contributions, including leading Sri Lanka to a historic series win in South Africa. Following retirement, he plans to study coaching to further support Sri Lankan cricket.

Dimuth Karunaratne, the 36-year-old Sri Lankan opener who has been a mainstay in the team for over a decade, announced that his upcoming 100th Test against Australia will mark the end of his Test career. He shared that achieving 100 Tests fulfills a childhood dream, as he had only aspired to play a single Test match initially, having scored 7,172 runs across 99 Tests.

Renowned for his leadership, Karunaratne took over the Sri Lankan captaincy during a challenging period in 2019 and led the team to a remarkable series victory in South Africa, making Sri Lanka the only Asian team to triumph in that country. Despite going through a rough patch, with no centuries in his last 25 innings, he reflected on the importance of setting and chasing goals in life.

Dimuth Karunaratne has been a prominent figure in Sri Lankan cricket, serving as captain and an opening batsman during his career. His consistent performance at the top of the order helped stabilize the team, especially during turbulent times. His decision to retire comes after a prolonged struggle to score centuries, reflecting the natural cycle in sports where athletes transition and make way for emerging talents.

Karunaratne’s retirement marks the end of an era for Sri Lankan cricket, showcasing the transition from experienced players to a new generation. His plans to study coaching in Australia underline his commitment to continue contributing to the sport and the development of young cricketers in Sri Lanka. His legacy is characterized by resilience, leadership, and a passion for the game.

Original Source: gulfnews.com