On Thursday, March 14, Sri Lanka’s former cricketer Lahiru Thirimanne was involved in a harrowing car accident in the Thirapanne area of Anuradhapura. The collision with a lorry left him with minor injuries and caused significant damage to the car, leading to distressing scenes at the scene of the incident. Fortunately, Thirimanne escaped major amputations, bringing immense relief to his family and supporters.
Despite retiring from cricket in 2022 and being relatively disconnected from the sport, news of such a serious accident understandably raises concerns among his fans, especially considering his significant contributions during a challenging period for Sri Lankan cricket.
Thirimanne, known for his solid left-handed batting, emerged as a promising talent when he made his debut against India in the Bangladesh tri-series in 2010, filling the void left by Sanath Jayasuriya and TM Dilshan. Initially, he earned a regular spot in the national squad, although he wasn’t always a guaranteed starter. However, following Dilshan’s retirement, Thirimanne became a key figure in the team, often occupying top-order positions.
PRAY FOR THIRIMANNE 🥹
— Muhammad Zubair Jutt (@zubiijutt) March 14, 2024
Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Lahiru Thirimanne was hospitalized after a tragic road accident in Thrippane, Anuradhapura 🇱🇰#BreakingNews #BabarAzam𓃵 #HBLPSL9 #PZvsMS pic.twitter.com/iXtqg7uz9L
His experience and leadership qualities even saw him captain the national team in the absence of Angelo Mathews. Despite his talent, Thirimanne faced challenges during a tumultuous period for Sri Lankan cricket, marked by the retirement of legendary players like Lasith Malinga, Kumar Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene. As the team struggled to maintain its dominance, Thirimanne found it difficult to flourish under the pressure to perform in a team that was no longer the formidable force it once was.
With the Sri Lankan cricket board’s decision to overhaul the team and usher in a new era of dominance, younger players like Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, and Pathum Nissanka were given priority over Thirimanne in the top-order. Eventually, this led to his retirement from the sport in 2022, as he gracefully stepped aside to make way for the next generation of players.
In summary, Lahiru Thirimanne’s involvement in a car accident serves as a reminder of his contributions to Sri Lankan cricket during a challenging period of transition. While the incident caused concern among his fans, it also highlights his resilience and the impact he had on the team during his career.
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