Swashbuckling Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera has called it quits from international cricket at the age of 32. The lower order hard-hitting batsman and an efficient medium pacer, Perera made the revelation in a letter to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board stating that he feels this is the correct time for him to “step aside and pave way for younger and more talented players”. Meanwhile has also added that he wants to spend more time with his family and achieve some of his personal goals.
Perera has been one of the decorated Sri Lankan cricketers with immense abilities with both bat and the ball. However, he lacked consistency all through his 11-year long career. Making his limited-overs debut way back in 2009, Perera donned the Sri Lankan blues in 166 ODI’s and 84 T20I’s besides playing six Tests back in 2016.
As Sri Lanka were in the process of recovery following the retirement of several stalwarts, Perera turned out to be one of the most prominent members, especially in the white-ball format. He played a stellar role in Sri Lanka’s triumphant campaign in the 2014 T20 World Cup. Perera shone with the bat in the final against India besides also making a mark during the 2011 final against the same oppositions. He considers being part of the 2014 World Cup team as the highlight of his career.
"I take pride in the fact that I was able to represent Sri Lanka in seven cricket World Cups and be a contributing member of the 2014 T20 World Cup win against India in Bangladesh," Perera said. "Easily the highlight of my life,” Perera was quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Perera had also carried out captaincy duties for Lanka. He was appointed both the ODI and the T20I captain in 2017. The southpaw made a stellar contribution with the bat in 2019 when he smashed a 74 balls 140 against New Zealand to bring up his maiden ODI century. The innings included as many as 13 sixes which still remains the most by a Sri Lankan batsmen in ODI’s. He is also one of those very few players who boast of having a hat-trick in both ODIs and T20Is.
"Thisara was a brilliant all-rounder, who has contributed immensely as a player to Sri Lanka Cricket and played a part in some of the glorious cricketing moments of the country," said the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket Ashley De Silva.