Sri Lanka’s swashbuckling cricketer, Lahiru Thirimanne has announced his retirement from International Cricket. After serving 13 years in Cricket, Thirimanne has finally decided to call time on his illustrious career.
Thirimanne announced his decision through a heartfelt post. He wrote that as a player he has given his 100% to the game of Cricket & has been honest to his motherland. He further expressed his gratitude for the people who supported him throughout his career. He extended his gratitude to coaches, teammates, physios, trainers & analysts for showering him with immense support & encouragement when he needed it the most. He further thanked his teammates for giving him some good memories which he can cherish for his entire lifetime.
Lahiru Thirimanne Retirement: A Glimpse of his Glorious Career
Thirimanne has achieved some remarkable milestones during his career span. He has been a part of three T20 World Cup Campaigns which includes Sri Lanka’s World Cup triumph in 2014. He was a part of two ODI World Cup Campaigns & has led Sri Lanka in five ODI fixtures.
His last International fixture was a Test match against India held in March 2022. His standout performance came against Bangladesh in 2021 when his blistering 140-run knock helped Sri Lanka to win the fixture on their home ground. Notably, Thirimanne’s last three Test tons came against Bangladesh in 2021. He had produced impressive performance in the ODI series in 2015 when he returned with scores of 861 in 25 matches with one ton & six fifties. Overall, Thirimanne bags 2088 runs in Tests, 3194 runs in ODIs & 291 runs in T20Is.
For the unversed, Lahiru Thirimanne was the third-highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in World Cup 2015 by scoring 300 runs at an average of 50. Only Sangakkara & Dishan had more runs than him. He was regarded as Sri Lanka’s most reliable option to bat at No 3 & did well alongside Sangakkara & Dilshan. The Sri Lankan team has relied on his services when they needed a sound batter in the top order. He has managed to amass 10 fifties & 3 tons in Tests & 4 tons & 21 fifties in ODIs. Thirimanne is known for his ability to bat in difficult conditions with the fact that all of his ODI tons were brought up in away series.
Lahiru Thirimanne will be a source of motivation for the rising talents
Thirimanne has also proved his mettle in first-class cricket. He has played for Sri Lanka in their latest domestic season. Overall he has played 139 First class fixtures amassing 8799 runs with 23 tons & 43 fifties. Notably, he was staying in Australia for the last two years & was not available for selection in Test format. He has been replaced by Nishan Madushka and Pathum Nissanka at the top order.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s renowned Captains & Legends reckon Thirimanne as one of the gems of Sri Lankan Cricket. Thirimanne’s retirement marks an end of an incredible career comprising of great dedication to the sport & national team. His presence will be missed by the entire cricket fraternity & cricket fanatics. Though Lahiru Thirimanne is putting a full stop to his cricketing career, he will continue to inspire budding cricketers with his contributions to Sri Lanka cricket. Notably, Thirimanne hasn’t revealed any plans for a coaching career but he might give a thought to beginning his second innings in a coaching role.
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