Sports

There’s a Lot to Like About Dimuth Karunaratne

Published

2 years ago

2024/10/6

Thilina Walpola

Dimuth Karunaratne

by Rex Clementine

Fame and popularity often have a way of inflating egos, turning the humble into the arrogant. Cricketers are no exception to this rule. In fact, school cricket can be a crystal ball for spotting future stars, and some of them, as they rise through the ranks, become like distant planets—hard to reach, encased in layers of agents, protocols, and red tape.

But Sri Lankan players, to their credit, have largely kept their feet on the ground. They haven’t let stardom sweep them off course. Dimuth Karunaratne is a prime example—a man so rooted that he’ll stop to ask photographers toiling under the scorching sun if they need a bottle of water. It’s rare to find a cricketer who doesn’t let the game go to his head, but Dimuth is that man—a diamond in a game full of rough edges.

He’s the kind of role model parents hope their kids look up to—never rattled, never caught up in the ugly business of sledging or bad language, never called up to the Match Referee for disciplinary action, and never involved in bitter pay disputes. Dimuth is as honest as the day is long, and with a middle name like Frank, it’s no wonder he always speaks his mind.

But even the calmest waters have their storms. Last week, during the second Test in Galle, for the first time in his career, Dimuth let the emotions get better of him.

After missing out on a hundred in the first Test, where he played a vital knock of 83 to pull Sri Lanka out of a deep hole, Dimuth looked set for a century in the second Test. The Galle heat was the only thorn in his side as he moved fluently to 46 on a flat pitch. He hadn’t raised his bat for a century all year, and you could feel it coming.

Then came the moment that lit the fuse. Pushing the ball to mid-wicket, Dimuth called for a single. His partner, Dinesh Chandimal, stood frozen to the spot. It was a misfield, yes, and the golden rule is: ‘never run on a misfield unless there’s a run and a half on offer’. In this case though, there was, a run. Dimuth nearly made it back to his crease before the bails were whipped off.

What followed was something you’d never seen from the normally composed Karunaratne. He turned to Chandimal, fire in his eyes, and let him know, in no uncertain terms, that it was his call to make. When the ball’s in front of the wicket, the striker calls the shots, and Dimuth had made the right call. But the damage was done.

As Dimuth stormed off the field, frustration etched on his face, it was clear that even the best of friends can have a spat. Watching two former captains clash mid-pitch isn’t a pretty sight, but to their credit, by evening, the storm had passed, and the hatchet was buried.

Chandimal wasn’t blameless; he’d left his partner high and dry. But to his credit, the first thing he did when he walked into the dressing room was to apologize to Dimuth.

Some were quick to crucify Chandimal, branding him a traitor, but there’s always more to a story than meets the eye. Apparently, Dimuth had told Chandimal he was cramping and didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks. What he meant was “no twos,” but Chandimal had taken it to mean “no runs on misfields.” So, when the call for the run came, Chandimal, true to his decision, stayed rooted. Like a true gentleman, Chandimal held up his hand and admitted his mistake, and like another true gentleman, Dimuth accepted it without a second thought.

Dimuth, however, is no ordinary cricketer. He’s cut from a different cloth. He doesn’t always get the praise he deserves for leading Sri Lanka to an improbable series win in South Africa—a feat no other Asian captain has achieved. Even cricketing giants like India and Pakistan, with their potent pace attacks, haven’t managed to win a series on South African soil.

Dimuth’s secret? It’s not about outthinking the opposition with tactical brilliance. He leads by bringing people together. Under his stewardship, the dressing room is a place of calm, where players are trusted as professionals, and the relaxed atmosphere allows them to flourish.

His popularity after that South African triumph was such that players clamored for him to lead Sri Lanka into the 2019 World Cup, despite him not having played an ODI in four years. Imagine that—a man who wasn’t even part of the squad being asked to lead the team at cricket’s greatest stage. That’s the kind of trust Dimuth inspires.

Most captains, when they’re riding high, are reluctant to give up the reins. But Dimuth, always a man of integrity, knew when to step aside. After Sri Lanka’s World Test Championship campaign ended last year, he expressed his desire to step down. The selectors persuaded him to stay a little longer, but once a new selection panel came in, Dimuth made his intentions clear again, and his wish was granted.

We have had the privilege of following Dimuth’s career closely from the start. His first overseas tour with Sri Lanka was to England in 2011. Ironically, he was overlooked for the Test matches and included only for the ODIs. Back then, he was seen as an ODI prospect, but he has since carved out a career as Sri Lanka’s most successful Test opener.

There’s a major milestone on the horizon—Dimuth is set to play his 100th Test in February next year at Galle. Let’s hope he takes fresh guard and goes on for a few dozen more. Cricket needs more characters like him—the steadying forces who bring calm amid the chaos.

All News Advertisement

Sports

Nissanka absence opens door for Sri Lanka’s young guns

Published

9 hours ago

2026/10/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Former Royal College captain Sineth Jayawardene has replaced the injured Pathum Nissanka

Sri Lanka will begin their three match T20I series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Friday with an opportunity for several youngsters to stake their claims, although the absence of Pathum Nissanka leaves a sizeable hole at the top of the order.

Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked batter in the ICC T20I rankings, has been one of the side’s most consistent performers in recent years and his absence deprives the tourists of a proven match-winner against a Pakistan attack that will still carry plenty of firepower despite resting several senior players.

The three T20Is will be played in Rawalpindi on October 9, 11 and 13 before attention switches to the seven match ODI tri-series involving hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England.

While Sri Lanka will miss Nissanka, his absence opens the door for highly rated Sineth Jayawardene, who has been earmarked as one for the future. The former Sri Lanka Under-19 captain now has an opportunity to show that he can make the considerable jump from domestic and age group cricket to the international stage. Sineth skippered Royal College, Colombo with distinction.

There will also be considerable interest in leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, another player Sri Lanka have invested in with an eye on the future. With Wanindu Hasaranga out of the equation, Viyaskanth has an opportunity to make a strong case for a regular berth rather than remain on the fringes.

Sri Lanka will be encouraged by the fact that Pakistan too have opted to look beyond some of their established names for the T20I leg of the tour.

Sahibzada Farhan will captain Pakistan after leading them at the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan, taking over from Salman Ali Agha, who has been left out of the T20I squad. Salman remains part of Pakistan’s ODI plans.

Pakistan have also rested Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the T20Is, although both return for the ODI tri-series, where Shaheen will continue as captain.

The hosts have named uncapped all-rounders Razaullah and Mohammad Imran Randhawa in their 15-member T20I squad, while Maaz Sadaqat and Hasan Nawaz have been rewarded for impressive performances at the Asian Games.

Hasan finished the tournament as Pakistan’s leading run scorer with 123 runs, including a blistering 96 off 51 balls against India in the final, although Pakistan had to settle for silver.

Fast bowler Naseem Shah returns to Pakistan’s T20I squad having last played the format against Sri Lanka in February, while Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed provide experience.

For Sri Lanka, while Nissanka’s runs will be sorely missed his absence means someone else has the chance to put his hand up. Sri Lanka will hope one or two of their young guns grab that opportunity with both hands.

The ODI tri-series will follow the T20Is, with the first three matches being played in Rawalpindi before the tournament moves to Lahore for the remaining league games and the final.

Pakistan have retained a more experienced core for the 50-over competition, with Babar, Salman, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf among those included.

Former Pakistan Under-19 captain Saad Baig has earned his maiden ODI call-up after scoring more than 1,000 runs in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, while left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Moqim is another notable inclusion.

Pakistan have also strengthened their backroom staff, bringing back former Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait as bowling consultant. Tait previously served as Pakistan’s bowling coach in 2022-23 and replaces Ashley Noffke, who left after the Asian Games to take over as Netherlands head coach.

Sports

Girls secure all four semi-final spots for hosts

Published

9 hours ago

2026/10/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

ATF Under-16 Colombo Week 1 Tennis

Sri Lanka’s junior players delivered a series of impressive performances on Wednesday, with the girls claiming all four semi-final places at the ATF Under-16 Colombo 2026 Week 1 tournament, held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts.

‎

Damsath Peiris

Methuli Naotunne led the charge with a notable quarter-final win over India’s Yashmitha Santhosh, recovering from a set loss to prevail 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Kiara Jayamanne also came from behind to beat India’s Ahnavi Shaw 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

Risindi
Hewawasam

‎In an all-Sri Lankan quarter-final, Risindi Hewawasam overcame Desandi Peiris 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, while Disini Samaraweera defeated Sayli Basnayake 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

‎The Sri Lankan boys also impressed. Damsath Peiris beat Buvindu Jayawardhana 8-2, 7-6, and Yonal Dankumbura battled to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jayan Sebastian.

‎The visiting players, however, proved tough to beat. The Philippines’ Anthony Castigador defeated Sri Lanka’s Dehan Wickramasinghe 6-2, 6-4, and India’s Gurshaan Chahal fought back to overcome Udeera Gunasinghe 2-6, 7-5, 7-5.

(RF)

Sports

Travel Trends Leisure crowned champions at Mosvold Sixes

Published

9 hours ago

2026/10/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Travel Trends Leisure were crowned champions at the annual Mosvold Sixes worked off at Malay Cricket Club on Sunday.

Mosvold Sixes 2026 concluded on Sunday at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club with Travel Trends Leisure crowned champions after a closely fought final against last year’s winners, Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka, who finished as runners-up. Transco Travels were second runners-up.

Twenty three destination management companies took part in the six-a-side softball cricket tournament, organised by Mosvold Sri Lanka.

The Mosvold Martinus Challenge Trophy 2026 was presented to the champions by Nilanka Martinus, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Mosvold Boutique Hotels. Chief Guest Farveez Maharoof, the former Sri Lanka all-rounder, presented the runners-up award to Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka.

This year’s twenty three competing DMCs were Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance De Ceylan Sri Lanka, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka, Hayleys Travels, We stay Ceylon, Transco Travels and Ceylon Tours.