Sri Lanka’s cricket fraternity bids farewell to the talented batsman Lahiru Thirimanne, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, culminating a remarkable 13-year journey. Debuting in 2010, the 33-year-old batting maestro showcased his skills in 44 Tests, 127 ODIs, and 26 T20Is, representing Sri Lanka with pride and dedication. While he chose not to divulge the precise reasons behind his decision, Thirimanne conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to his former teammates and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) members through a poignant post on his Facebook page.
His final international appearance took place during the Test against India in Bengaluru in March 2022. Notably, his last of three Test centuries was against Bangladesh in 2021, a magnificent knock of 140 that played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s victory in Pallekele. Thirimanne’s prowess in ODIs was evident in 2015, where he scored an impressive 861 runs in 25 games, including one century and six half-centuries. Additionally, he was an integral part of Sri Lanka’s ICC T20 World Cup-winning team in 2014 and also represented the nation in two more World Cups. Throughout his career, Thirimanne captained Sri Lanka in five ODI games and competed in two ODI World Cups.
While continuing his involvement in first-class cricket in Sri Lanka during the recent season, Thirimanne has spent much of the past two years living in Australia. Consequently, he faced some limitations in his availability for Test selection, leading to the emergence of new talents like Nishan Madushka and Pathum Nissanka, who have taken over the top-order responsibilities.
Sri Lanka, known for its vibrant cricketing culture, has seen the likes of Lahiru Thirimanne etch their names in the nation’s cricketing history. As Thirimanne embarks on a new chapter beyond international cricket, his contributions and accomplishments will remain cherished, and he will be remembered as a true ambassador of the sport in Sri Lanka.