Sri Lankan’s all-rounder Eshani Lokusuriyage has announced her retirement on Thursday after ending her 16-year long international career. Lokusuriyage, 37, made her debut in 2005. She featured in 89 ODIs and 68 T20Is for Sri Lanka.
The right-hand bat mustered 1999 runs across 148 international innings, including six half-centuries. In ODIs alone, she has scored 1219 runs, which makes her the fourth-highest run-getter in the history of Sri Lanka women’s cricket. The right arm seamer has scalped 85 international wickets, including 49 wickets in ODIs, which makes her the sixth-highest wicket-taker in the format for Sri Lanka women. In T20Is, she is in the top four for her country in both batting and bowling at her time of retirement.
She is expected to continue to play for her domestic side Sri Lanka Navy.
“Today I officially retire from the game I love the most. It’s hard but I’m grateful. 15 years of international cricket and there are too many memories to share. Thank you to everyone. My family, teammates, friends, coaches, officials, Sri Lanka Navy, media, fans, sponsors and Sri Lanka Cricket for all the support given throughout my cricketing journey,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
Paying tribute to her teammate, former Sri Lanka skipper Shashikala Siriwardene wrote: “Thank you legend for the immense contribution towards women’s cricket. Great performer, entertainer, team player, and fighter. You have been inspiring a lot of young cricketers in Sri Lanka and all over the world.”
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I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.