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Chamika Karunaratne is a Sri Lankan cricketer who has taken the cricketing world by storm in just a few years. He is an all-rounder, known for his ability to swing the ball and score some quick runs in crucial situations. Karunaratne's aggressive playing style, combined with his athletic build and natural abilities, have made him one of Sri Lanka's most exciting young prospects in recent times.
Born on May 29, 1996, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Chamika Karunaratne was raised in a family of badminton players. He attended Royal College, Colombo where he captained the athletics, badminton and cricket teams. Despite coming from a background of badminton players, his love for cricket grew during his school days when he started playing seriously at a young age. He was awarded the Royal Crown on two occasions for excelling in several sports at Royal College.
Karunaratne rose to prominence after impressing selectors with consistent performances in domestic cricket tournaments such as the Premier League Tournament and Super Four Provincial Tournament which helped him get selected for the national team. His international debut came against South Africa in February 2019.
Since then Karunaratne has played some notable innings including scoring his maiden half-century against Australia during the fifth ODI match held in Barbados on July 26th, 2022 which earned him the Man of the Match award.
Karunaratne made his first-class debut for Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in December 2015 and has since played for various domestic teams including Kandy and Colombo in domestic tournaments. He caught the eye of many franchise owners when he was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders during the auction for the 2022 Indian Premier League.
In March 2023, Karunaratne took 4 wickets in an ODI match against New Zealand which saw him cement his place as a regular member of Sri Lanka's national team across all formats of the game.
Karunaratne is known for his aggressive play and ability to swing the ball both ways with pace, making him a valuable asset especially during powerplay overs. He has also worked on his batting skills and often contributes with quick runs lower down the order.
Off-field, Karunaratne has endorsed several brands, including nutritional brand Prima Stella Diary who signed him as a brand ambassador. However, he has been embroiled in several controversies that have brought negative attention to himself. In one instance, he was handed a suspended one-year ban from all forms of cricket for violating his player agreement after the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. He also faced fines and suspension for lighting an oil lamp at the hotel during the T20 World Cup which could have caused potential fire hazards.
Chamika Karunaratne has been an invaluable asset for the Sri Lankan cricket team, especially in ICC tournaments. He played a crucial role in the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where he took eight wickets in six matches at an average of 16.12 and an economy rate of 7.22. His impressive performance helped Sri Lanka reach the Super 12s stage.
Karunaratne followed up his strong T20 World Cup performance with a notable display in the 2022 Asia Cup, scoring valuable runs and taking key wickets. He played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's win over Pakistan in the group stage, scoring an unbeaten 36 and taking two wickets.
In March 2023, Karunaratne showcased his bowling prowess by taking four wickets against New Zealand in an ODI match.
Chamika Karunaratne is known for his versatility as an all-rounder who plays all three formats of cricket. With his batting skills, he can change gears quickly and accelerate the run-rate when required. As a bowler, he has good pace and accuracy, making him a difficult proposition for opposition batsmen.
Karunaratne's ability to adapt to different situations and roles is evident from his performances across formats. In ODIs, he has often been used as a lower-order hitter who can provide quick runs towards the end of innings while also chipping in with some crucial wickets.
In T20s, he has shown that he can be equally effective with both bat and ball. With his medium pace, he can keep the runs in check while also picking up wickets at crucial junctures of the game.
Chamika Karunaratne is known to be a level-headed individual who leads by example both on and off the field. He has been a captain at the school level, displaying his leadership qualities from an early age.
Off the field, Karunaratne is known to be a private person who likes to keep a low profile. He enjoys spending time with his family and is a fitness enthusiast who takes his training seriously.
Karunaratne was recently named as the brand ambassador for Prima Stella Diary, highlighting his growing stature as one of Sri Lanka's leading cricketers. While he has faced some controversies during his career, he has shown maturity in handling them and has emerged stronger from those experiences.
Chamika Karunaratne's impact on the game of cricket cannot be understated. His ability to play all three formats of the game and excel in each one has made him a valuable asset to the Sri Lankan national team. His all-around skills have inspired many young cricketers to take up the sport and hone their abilities in multiple disciplines.
Karunaratne's contribution to Sri Lanka's victories in international tournaments has been remarkable. The way he bowls, bats, and fields with equal ease make him a complete package for any team. Youngsters look up to him as an inspiration for becoming a successful all-rounder.
Karunaratne’s notable performance against New Zealand when he took four wickets in an ODI match remains etched in the memories of cricket fans worldwide. He played a crucial role during Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign, scoring runs at crucial moments and taking important wickets.
Karunaratne’s contributions to the game have earned him several accolades throughout his career. He won Man of the Match awards on numerous occasions, including during his maiden half-century against Australia in July 2022.
His captaincy skills were demonstrated at Royal College Colombo where he captained both athletics and cricket teams, earning two Royal Crown awards for his achievements across multiple sports.
Chamika Karunaratne has had an impressive journey as an international cricketer thus far. He is known for his ability to master all three formats of the game equally well while being a top-class all-rounder. His achievements and awards speak volumes about his hard work, dedication and perseverance.
Although Karunaratne has faced several controversies in his career, he has managed to recover from them and continues to make positive contributions to the sport. He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of Sri Lanka's most promising young cricketers of this era.
FAQs
When did Chamika Karunaratne make his international debut?
Chamika Karunaratne made his international debut for Sri Lanka in Test cricket on November 14, 2018, against England. His ODI debut came on June 2, 2019, against Scotland.
Has Chamika Karunaratne played in any major cricket tournaments?
Yes, Chamika Karunaratne has represented Sri Lanka in various major cricket tournaments. He has played in ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup, and bilateral series against different countries.
What are some notable performances by Chamika Karunaratne in international cricket?
Chamika Karunaratne has had several notable performances in international cricket. Some of his memorable performances include taking a 4-wicket haul against South Africa in an ODI in 2021 and scoring a crucial half-century against India in an ODI in 2022.
Does Chamika Karunaratne play for any domestic cricket teams?
Chamika Karunaratne represents Colts Cricket Club in Sri Lanka's domestic cricket. He has also played for various teams in domestic tournaments like the Sri Lanka Premier League.
