Dimuth Karunaratne – Sri Lanka’s Pillar at the Top of the Order

Dimuth Karunaratne is one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable and prolific Test openers. Known for his solid technique, patience, and ability to anchor the innings, he has been a cornerstone of Sri Lankan batting for over a decade. As of 2025, Karunaratne holds the record for the most runs scored as an opener for Sri Lanka in Test cricket.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Dimuth Karunaratne was born on March 21, 1988, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Coming from a cricket-loving family, he showed early promise as a batsman. His journey to the national team was not instantaneous, but his consistent performances in domestic cricket, especially for Colombo and the Sri Lanka A team, eventually earned him a spot in the national team.

His debut for Sri Lanka came in 2012, when he made his Test debut against New Zealand. From the beginning, it was evident that Karunaratne possessed the ability to withstand long innings, a trait that is vital for opening the batting in Test cricket.

Test Career and Batting Style

Dimuth Karunaratne’s role as an opener for Sri Lanka has been pivotal. He is known for his solid technique, resilience, and ability to play long innings. He has been a key figure at the top of the order, providing stability in the opening slots for Sri Lanka in Test matches.

Most Runs as an Opener for Sri Lanka

As of February 2025, Karunaratne holds the record for the most runs as an opener for Sri Lanka in Test cricket, with 6,881 runs in 95 Test matches as an opener. His batting average at the top of the order is 40.01, underlining his consistency and ability to perform in challenging conditions. His tally of runs has made him one of the top openers in the history of Sri Lankan Test cricket.

Batting Style

Karunaratne is a classical left-handed opener, known for his compact technique. His patient and cautious approach suits the longer format of the game, and he has a knack for accumulating runs, often playing crucial knocks in the first innings. Though not an explosive batsman, Karunaratne’s ability to grind out runs and build partnerships has made him indispensable to the Sri Lankan team.

Notable Achievements and Records

Throughout his career, Dimuth Karunaratne has accumulated several notable achievements:

• Total Runs: Karunaratne has scored a total of 7,172 runs in 99 Test matches by 2025.
• Centuries: He has scored 16 centuries in Test cricket, showcasing his ability to convert starts into big scores.
• Half-Centuries: In addition to his centuries, Karunaratne has also scored 39 half-centuries, highlighting his consistency.
• Highest Score: His career-best score in a Test match is 244 runs, a remarkable achievement that places him among Sri Lanka’s elite run-scorers.
• Batting Average: His batting average stands at 39.40, which is impressive for a top-order batsman in Test cricket.

These statistics highlight his value as a dependable opener for Sri Lanka in the longest format of the game.

Legacy in Sri Lankan Cricket

Dimuth Karunaratne’s legacy in Sri Lankan cricket is that of a steady and dependable opener who played an integral role in the team’s successes. His ability to bat for long periods, often in difficult conditions, has helped Sri Lanka post competitive totals in Test matches.

Captaincy and Leadership

Karunaratne was appointed Sri Lanka’s Test captain in 2019, a role he excelled in. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka achieved several important victories, and he was often seen as the backbone of the team, both as a batsman and a captain. His calm and composed demeanor made him a respected leader in the dressing room.

Retirement and Transition to Coaching

Dimuth Karunaratne announced his retirement from Test cricket after playing his 100th Test match in February 2025, during the second Test against Australia in Galle. This decision marked the end of an era for Sri Lankan cricket.

In his retirement statement, Karunaratne expressed his desire to make way for younger talents in Sri Lankan cricket and planned to transition into coaching post-retirement. He felt it was the right time to step down and give the next generation an opportunity to lead Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

His retirement was met with widespread appreciation, as he had been one of the team’s most consistent performers over the years.