Most Tests for Sri Lanka – Dimuth Karunaratne joins elite club and retires

Jonhenry Wilson 06 Feb 2025

Dimuth Karunaratne reached 100 Test matches before retiring from the format.

Thursday marks the start of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in Galle, as the home side go in search of a win in the hopes of levelling the series. It will also be a significant game for veteran Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne.

Significant for two reasons – firstly, it will mark his 100th game for the island nation. Secondly, it will mark his last Test as he confirmed that he will retire from Test cricket after the game.

Retiring with 100 Tests to his name is a fantastic achievement. His Test career, which began in Galle in 2012 against New Zealand, will end at the same venue 13 years later. Over the course of his career, he has scored 7,172 runs and made a highest score of 244.

He averages 39.40 and has scored 16 centuries. They are marvellous statistics, and there are only a handful of Sri Lankan players who have been capped more times than he has. Let’s look at the most capped Sri Lanka Test players of all time.

7. Dimuth Karunaratne – 100 Tests

A solid and reliable opening batsman, Dimuth Karunaratne has been a mainstay in Sri Lanka’s top order for over a decade. Known for his patience and ability to bat for long periods, Karunaratne has been one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent red-ball performers.

His leadership qualities were also evident when he captained Sri Lanka, helping to rebuild the team during a transition period. His 244 against Bangladesh in 2021 remains one of the best Test innings by a Sri Lankan opener. As he plays his final Test, he will be remembered as one of the finest openers to have represented the island nation.

6. Sanath Jayasuriya – 110 Tests

The current coach of Sri Lanka, as much as Sanath Jayasuriya was a Test stalwart he is best remembered for revolutionizing limited-overs cricket with his aggressive batting. His contributions in Test cricket were equally significant however as he played 110 Tests and amassed 6,973 runs at an average of 40.07, including 14 centuries.

His swashbuckling 340 against India in 1997 remains one of the highest individual scores in Test cricket. Apart from his explosive batting, he was also a handy left-arm spinner, taking 98 Test wickets. Jayasuriya’s influence on Sri Lankan cricket is immeasurable, as he played a crucial role in the team’s rise to prominence on the international stage.

5. Chaminda Vaas – 110 Tests

Alongside Lasith Malinga he is Sri Lanka’s greatest fast bowler. Vaas played a pivotal role in providing the team with a much-needed pace threat in an era that was dominated by spinners. In his 110 Test matches, Vaas took 355 wickets at an average of 29.58, making him Sri Lanka’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests.

His ability to swing the ball both ways and extract movement from even the most placid pitches made him a formidable opponent. His best Test figures of 9 for 95 against Zimbabwe in 2001 remain one of the best performances by a Sri Lankan bowler. In addition to his bowling, Vaas was a handy lower-order batsman, scoring over 3,000 Test runs, including a century.

Also read: Which captain has the best bowling figures in Test cricket?

4. Angelo Mathews – 117 Tests

Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews is 37 years old and still going strong for Sri Lanka. He’s been the backbone of Sri Lanka’s middle order for over a decade. A dependable batsman with a solid technique, Mathews has scored over 7,000 Test runs at an average of around 45, including 15 centuries.

His all-round abilities were an asset, although he was more of an ODI bowler than a Test bowler. With his medium pacers he managed 33 Test wickets. Mathews has also captained Sri Lanka in both Tests and ODIs, guiding the team through various phases of transition. His ability to anchor an innings and play match-winning knocks under pressure has earned him a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable Test players.

3. Muttiah Muralitharan – 132 Tests

Arguably the greatest off spinner the game has ever seen, Muttiah Muralitharan’s achievements in Test cricket are staggering. With 800 wickets in 132 Tests at an average of 22.72, he holds the record for the most wickets in Test history. His ability to extract prodigious turn on any surface made him a nightmare for batsmen around the world.

Murali played a vital role in Sri Lanka’s success in the late 1990s and 2000s, frequently delivering match-winning performances. His iconic 16-wicket haul against England in 1998 and his 800th Test wicket in his final game in 2010 remain among the most memorable moments in cricket history.

2. Kumar Sangakkara – 134 Tests

Kumar Sangakkara is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to have played the game. His elegant stroke play, and consistency saw him accumulate 12,400 runs in 134 Tests at an average of 57.40, including 38 centuries. Sangakkara was also a reliable wicketkeeper early in his career, before transitioning into a full-time specialist batsman.

His partnerships with fellow batting greats, particularly Mahela Jayawardene, were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s success. His career-best 319 against Bangladesh and his twin centuries in his farewell Test series against India in 2015 cemented his legacy as one of the finest batsmen in cricket history.

1. Mahela Jayawardene – 149 Tests

At the top of the list is Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka’s most capped Test player with 149 appearances. A masterful batsman, Jayawardene scored 11,814 Test runs at an average of 49.84, including 34 centuries. He is best known for his monumental 374 against South Africa in 2006, the highest individual Test score by a Sri Lankan.

As a captain, he led Sri Lanka to the World Cup final in 2007 and played a key role in their rise as a formidable Test team. His impeccable technique and ability to play long innings made him one of the most admired cricketers of his era. His contribution to Sri Lankan cricket, both on and off the field, is immeasurable.