Sri Lankan cricket is set to witness the farewell of one of its most dependable players as Dimuth Karunaratne prepares to retire from international cricket after his 100th Test. The second Test against Australia, starting on February 6 in Galle, will be the final chapter of his remarkable career. As Sri Lanka aims to level the series against Australia, all eyes will be on Karunaratne as he takes the field for one last time. It will be an emotional moment for Sri Lankan cricket as they bid farewell to one of their finest Test cricketers. A decade of dedication Karunaratne made his Test debut in 2012 and has been a key figure in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup for over a decade. The left-handed opener has scored 7,172 runs in 99 Tests at an average of just under 40. His record includes 16 centuries and 39 half-centuries, making him one of the most reliable batters in Sri Lankan cricket. Speaking about his decision to retire, Karunaratne said, "I had a goal of reaching 10,000 Test runs, but I am happy with what I have achieved. Playing 100 Tests for Sri Lanka is a great honour, and I wanted to finish my career on a high note." Leader and a fighter Karunaratne was not just a strong opener but also a capable leader. His biggest achievement as captain came in 2019 when he led Sri Lanka to a historic Test series victory against South Africa. It was the first time an Asian team won a Test series in South Africa. As a captain, he won 12 matches, lost 12, and drew six out of 30 games. Joining the elite club By playing his 100th Test, Karunaratne will become only the seventh Sri Lankan cricketer to achieve this milestone. He joins the likes of legends such as Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Muttiah Muralidaran. His tally of 16 Test centuries places him alongside former Sri Lankan greats like Marvan Atapattu and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Recent struggles and decision to retire While Karunaratne has had an illustrious career, his recent form has not been the best. In the first Test against Australia, he scored just 7 and 0, continuing a rough patch that has lasted over a year. Realizing the need for Sri Lanka to transition to a younger generation, he decided to step aside and make way for fresh talent. A special farewell in Galle Galle, a venue rich with Sri Lanka’s cricketing history, is a fitting place for Karunaratne’s farewell. Many Sri Lankan legends have bid goodbye at this ground, and he hopes to end his career on a high note.Original Article