'Emotional' Karunaratne eyes coaching career after Test farewell
Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne said Sunday it had been "a very emotional day" after his 100th and final Test ended with a defeat to Australia.
The veteran opening batsman Karunaratne was given the honour of bowling the final few balls as Australia wrapped up a nine-wicket win and series sweep before lunch on the fourth day in Galle.
"It has been a long career -- after my family and friends, I was spending most time with my teammates," he said.
"I am leaving them, but this team will be always in my heart."
The 36-year-old former skipper was a rock at the top of the Sri Lankan order for more than a decade, but had gone 25 innings without a century.
He had announced before the second Test in Galle that it would be his farewell to the five-day game.
"When I started my cricket, I just wanted to play one Test match," he said.
"To go on to play 100 Tests was amazing. Playing cricket for so long has been a privilege".
Renowned for his cool head and affable nature, Karunaratne also proved a shrewd leader.
Taking over the captaincy at a turbulent time in 2019, he led Sri Lanka to a historic series win in South Africa.
To this day, Sri Lanka remain the only Asian team to conquer the Proteas in their own backyard.
Karunaratne relinquished the captaincy in 2023, saying it was time for younger cricketers to lead.
He said that after a playing career with "lots of happy memories" he now wanted to spend time with his family, and move into coaching.
"I intend to take up coaching," he said Sunday. "I want to get qualified ... I will start coaching either here or overseas.
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