SL vs IRE: Dimuth Karunaratne to relinquish Test captaincy after Ireland series

Sri Lanka Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne has decided to step down from Test captaincy after the forthcoming two-match Test series against Ireland. His decision comes after the Lankan Lions were knocked out of the race for a berth in the finals of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 by New Zealand in the first Test.

In addition, the side was handed a massive defeat by an innings and 58 runs in the second Test against the Kiwis at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Following the series sweep, skipper Karunaratne revealed that he had informed the selectors of his decision to relinquish his role from the national team and for the management to look out for a new captain. 

“I have informed the selectors that it’s good to appoint a new captain for the new test cycle, so I am ready to step down after the Ireland series. I am yet to hear from selectors what they think about my decision, but I feel I need to give the new captain to start from the beginning of the new test cycle, rather me stepping down from the middle of it,” Karunaratne was quoted as saying by Newswire.

Ireland series, the last dance as skipper for Dimuth Karunaratne

Karunaratne will lead the side one last team in the forthcoming series against the Irish side at home. The series will kickstart following the conclusion of the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. The Lankan Lions play Ireland in two Test matches starting on Sunday, April 16, at the Galle International Stadium in Galle.

In 2019, the opener was appointed as the stand-in skipper of the side, replacing Dinesh Chandimal. In his maiden stint as captain, he registered a series sweep 2-0 against South Africa. Of the 26 matches he has captained the side, Sri Lanka registered 10 wins during the span of 2019-2023. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has yet to release an official statement on the matter and will look for a suitable candidate to lead the side.