Upul Tharanga calls time on his 15-year-long international career

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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After being part of the Sri Lankan set up for 15 years, left-handed opener Upul Tharanga calls time on an illustrious 15-year-long international career, with his last appearance coming in 2019. It was in the ODI format where the left-hander was most successful, scoring 6,951 runs for Sri Lanka.

One of Sri Lanka’s important members of their run to two 50-overs World Cup finals, Upul Tharanga called time on his international career on Tuesday. The opener was last involved in the scheme of things for the country in the 2019 series against South Africa, after which they have moved on from the senior pro. 

During his time as an opener, Tharanga represented the country in the whites over 31 Tests,  scoring 1,754 runs at an average of 21.89, with his final appearance coming against India in Pallekele. However, it was in the white-ball format where the left-hander has played in 235 games. Tharanga scored 6,951 runs for Sri Lanka at an average of 33.74, more notably playing in the 2011 World Cup, where he scored 395 runs.  

"As the good old saying goes "All good things must come to an end", I believe it is time for me to bid farewell to my International Cricket Career after over 15 years of giving the game my all," Tharanga wrote in his retirement statement on Twitter, reported ESPNCricinfo. 

Away from his batting, the left-hander has also captained the side several times. Most notably, he captained the side in Tests, where there wasn’t much success for him, with a whitewash in 2017. 

"I leave behind a road traveled with fond memories and great friendships. I am thankful to Sri Lanka Cricket for always having faith and the trust vested in me. I am grateful to the many cricket loving fans, friends and my family for standing by me during my highest of highs and even at my lowest points in my career. Your well-wishes and messages of encouragement was easily the drive behind my ambition. For that I thank you all, and I wish you well,” he added.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s CEO Ashely De Silva also appreciated the player’s efforts, stating that he was an integral part of the national team during many of the country’s achievements. 

"Upul Tharanga has done a tremendous service as a player to Sri Lanka Cricket during his long career and has been an integral part of the National Team during its many achievements,'' Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley De Silva said.

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