Dimuth Karunaratne races past 7,000 Test runs: Decoding his stats
Veteran opener Dimuth Karunaratne has scripted history by becoming just the fourth Sri Lankan batter to complete 7,000 Test runs. The star left-handed batter reached the milestone with his 1st run on Day 3 of the ongoing third and final Test against England at The Oval. Karunaratne scored nine runs in the first innings. He managed eight runs in the 2nd innings. Here's more.
Karunaratne joins this elite list
Karunaratne, who stepped down as SL's Test captain earlier this year, is fourth in terms of Test runs for Sri Lanka. He is only behind legends like Kumar Sangakkara (12,400), Mahela Jayawardene (11,814), and Angelo Mathews (7,734). Karunaratne recently went past Sanath Jayasuriya (6,973) in terms of Test runs. Among active SL players, only Mathews has scored more runs in this format.
Here are his Test numbers
Playing his 94th Test, Karunaratne has raced past 7,000 runs (7,007) at 40.50. The tally includes 17 tons and 38 fifties. As per ESPNcricinfo, in 11 matches versus England, he has scored 620 runs at 29.52 (50s: 5). The veteran has amassed 2,857 runs at 31.05 in away Tests (home of opposition). He owns 504 runs at neutral venues, averaging 56.
Karunaratne led Sri Lanka in 30 Tests
Karunaratne, who first took the charge in 2019, led the Lankans in 30 Tests. He smoked 2,643 runs in these games at 49.86. Under his leadership, the Lankans boast 12 wins, as many defeats, and six draws. In his maiden assignment as skipper, he led SL to a historic 2-0 win over South Africa in the Rainbow Nation (in 2019).
