Dimuth set for longer captaincy stint

by Rex Clementine

Despite several highs for the national cricket team, Kumar Sangakkara’s was one of the shortest tenures of captaincy as it lasted for less than two years. But those two years had some special moments as Sri Lanka reached two World Cup finals and won their first-ever ODI series in Australia while beating several opponents in Test match cricket.

Despite the Sri Lankan side going through some tough times in the last decade – playing several qualifying rounds in shorter formats of the game – the team has done reasonably well in Tests and last month were in contention for a place in the World Test Championship finishing fifth in the table, just below England.

After the recent home series against Ireland, Dimuth Karunarante was ready to quit as captain allowing Dhananjaya de Silva to take over for the next cycle of World Test Championship that will get underway in July, but the selectors do not want him to throw in the towel as yet.

Dimuth, who started as Sri Lanka’s captain in 2019 could lead the team up to 2025 making it one of the longest stints after Arjuna Ranatunga’s seven-year tenure from 1992 to 1999. Arjuna’s first stint stretched from 1989 to 1991.

“I wanted to quit after the Ireland series, but the selectors wanted me to continue. We were supposed to have a chat during this series to see where we stand, but we didn’t get time. We will have a chat soon and find out whether this is the right time, or should I do another World Test Championship cycle,” he told journalists after Sri Lanka defeated Ireland in the second Test match on Friday in Galle.

It was Sri Lanka’s 100th Test match win. “It really doesn’t matter that we won the 100th Test match under my leadership. What matters is winning overseas and as captain that’s my focus. Winning away from home gives us the most satisfaction,” Dimuth remarked.

It looked as if Ireland could settle for their first-ever draw after they posted a mammoth 492 having elected to bat first. Sri Lanka had to score big and score fast which they did declaring on 704 for three going at 4.6 runs an over.

“The key was for us to score some quick runs. There were a couple of sessions that were washed out by rain. The wicket was still good to bat on day five. We knew there was some rain around in the evening on day five so basically we had two sessions to get those eight wickets and I thought the bowlers did a pretty decent job to bowl them out before tea.”