Dimuth Karunaratne Reflects On Career And Future As He Retires From International Cricket

February 9, 2025: Following Sri Lanka’s loss to Australia, Dimuth Karunaratne, the former Sri Lankan captain who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, spoke emotionally about his career and hinted at his future plans, including coaching.

In his final match, Karunaratne could only manage scores of 36 and 14, and the match ended with Australia securing a comfortable nine-wicket victory. Despite the lack of a fairytale ending, the veteran cricketer expressed contentment with his career, reflecting on his achievements.

“I am emotional. It’s been a long career, and I’ve spent so much time with my friends. Leaving them is hard. But wherever I go, I will always be supporting them,” Karunaratne said in the post-match presentation. He went on to acknowledge that his goal when starting Test cricket was to play 100 Tests and score 10,000 runs—an aspiration that he feels satisfied with achieving, even though his career is now ending.

Karunaratne will now look to the future, as he expressed an interest in taking up coaching after retiring. “I’m going to Australia to learn those coaching levels. I want to stay with my family—I’ve missed spending a lot of time with them. I’d like to thank all the fans who supported me, whether I was doing well or not. My teammates have always had happy faces. This is cricket—everyone has to go someday, and this is my time,” he added.

Karunaratne, the seventh player to play 100 Tests for Sri Lanka, finishes his career as the fourth-highest run-scorer in Sri Lanka’s Test history, with 7,222 runs at an average of 39.25. He has scored 16 centuries and 39 fifties, with a highest score of 244. In addition to his remarkable batting record, he captained Sri Lanka in 30 Test matches, with a record of 12 wins, 12 losses, and six draws.

Dimuth also featured in 50 One Day Internationals (ODIs), accumulating 1,316 runs at an average of 31.33, which included a century and 11 half-centuries. His best ODI score was 103.

As he transitions into his post-playing career, Karunaratne’s impact on Sri Lankan cricket will be remembered by fans and teammates alike. His journey from a young cricketer with lofty ambitions to one of the nation’s most celebrated batsmen is a testament to his dedication and passion for the game.