Sri Lankan cricketer Isuru Udana has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 33-year-old’s decision has come after Sri Lanka’s first series win against India in over 13 years. Udana’s career lasted for 12 years, in which he experienced multiple highs and lows.
Udana debuted for the Islanders back in 2009 against Australia in the 2009 T20 World cup. He played a part in the team’s journey to the final where they lost to Pakistan. The left-arm pacer hasn’t been able to repeat his domestic success at the international stage. He is well known as a slower-ball exponent in the shortest format. Udana holds the record of being the first bowler to take a hat-trick in Champions League T20 history.
Happy Retirement Isuru Udana 🙌❤️
This sportsmanship moment from you we will never forget 💗#IsuruUdana #INDvsSL #INDvSL#SLvIND #SLvsIND #Cricket #SriLankapic.twitter.com/52L1UVyBoK
— Cricket Hotspot (@AbdullahNeaz) July 31, 2021
Following multiple injury lay-offs and exclusion from the team, Isuru Udana has finally decided to call it a day. He is likely to continue playing franchise cricket. Udana is part of the Colombo Kings in the Lankan Premier League. In the IPL 2020, he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore but has been released from the team since.
While playing for the franchise from Bangalore, he picked up eight wickets in ten matches. He was a bit on the expensive side since Virat Kohli primarily used him as a death bowler specialist. He was handy with the bat as well on a couple of occasions. Apart from the IPL, Udana has taken part in the Bangladesh Premier League and the Afghanistan Premier League.
The pace bowler’s retirement further deepens Sri Lanka’s misery of late. They have been going through a dry patch owing to several reasons. Internal conflicts, contract issues, and suspension of experienced players are a few of them. Now, an experienced campaigner like Isuru Udana’s services will also be missed.
Isuru Udana’s ODI bowling stats:
Matches: 21
Wickets: 18
Best: 3/82
Economy: 6.27
Average: 52.78
Isuru Udana’s T20I bowling stats:
Matches: 35
Wickets: 27
Best: 3/11
Economy: 8.70
Average: 33.89
Get the latest update on IPL 2021, England vs India 2021, and other cricket news. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
