Dimuth Karunaratne to Retire from Test Cricket After Milestone 100th Appearance

Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka's seasoned opener, has confirmed his retirement from Test cricket following his 100th Test match, which will be played against Australia in Galle this week.

A THOUGHTFUL FAREWELL

The 36-year-old’s decision is driven by several factors. Sri Lanka's upcoming Test schedule is limited, with just two more Test matches scheduled until May 2026, leaving little opportunity for a specialist opener like Karunaratne to remain fully invested in the format. Additionally, his form has dipped in recent months, with an average of just 27.05 since the start of 2024, leading him to consider it the right time to step away.

“I felt it was the right time to go,” Karunaratne said. “Younger players are emerging, and it’s important to give them the chance to make their mark in the upcoming World Test Championship cycle. Plus, finishing at Galle, where my Test career began, makes it even more special.”

A LEGACY BUILT OVER 12 YEARS

Karunaratne made his Test debut in November 2012 against New Zealand at the same Galle ground where he will play his final match. Although he was dropped from the team briefly in 2014, he bounced back strongly, scoring his first Test century later that year. Over the course of his career, he has accumulated 7079 Test runs at an average of 39.99 as an opener, a feat unmatched by any other Sri Lankan opener.

With his retirement, Karunaratne will join an elite group of Sri Lankan cricketers—Sanath Jayasuriya, Muthiah Muralidaran, Chaminda Vaas, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, and Angelo Mathews—as the seventh player in the country’s history to play 100 Tests.

REFLECTIONS ON A STELLAR CAREER

Karunaratne looks back with pride on his achievements, particularly playing 100 Tests, a remarkable feat for an opening batter. However, he admits that there are a few things he would have liked to accomplish during his career.

“Getting to 10,000 Test runs was always a goal,” he shared. “I was on track in 2017, 2018, and 2019, but the pandemic disrupted everything, and Sri Lanka hasn’t had many Test matches since then.”

Karunaratne also expressed regret over not being able to experience the thrill of playing in a World Test Championship final. Despite coming close on two occasions, the team fell short of qualifying.

A TRUE TEAM PLAYER

Throughout his 12 years in Test cricket, Karunaratne’s contributions have been vital not just with the bat but also in providing stability at the top of the order. His work ethic and commitment to the team have earned him respect as one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent and valuable players.

As his illustrious Test career draws to a close, Karunaratne leaves behind a legacy as one of Sri Lanka’s finest openers, having given his all for the national team in one of cricket's toughest formats.