Isuru Udana, the Sri Lanka paceman, announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday, 31 July.
Isuru Udana announced retirement
He has announced retirement from the highest level at the age of 33. Interestingly, he was a part of the Sri Lanka squad that beat India in the recently concluded T20I series. Udana didn’t have great outings in two matches played.
The left-arm pacer bowled only five overs and conceded 39 runs while going wicketless. Even in the only ODI of the three-match series, he bowled only two overs and leaked 27 runs.
“I believe the time has come for me to make way for the next generation of players,” Udana said. “It is with immense pride and passion, and unfathomable commitment that I have represented and served my country.”
Thank you very much ❤️. Love you all. Stay safe. #goodbye #IZY17 pic.twitter.com/4dXt72bMn0
— Isuru Udana (@IAmIsuru17) July 31, 2021
“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes Udana, who was a valuable player in Sri Lanka’s white-ball teams, the very best in his future endeavors,’’ SLC stated.
Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Matthews wished luck to Udana for his life after retirement.
Thanks for all the memories together bro @IAmIsuru17 wishing you all the best for life after retirement 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/wRAOJumBQg
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) July 31, 2021
Isuru Udana IPL Career
Isuru Udana was also part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020, conducted in the UAE. The left-arm bowler went to the decorated franchise for INR 50 lakhs. Udana performed decently, taking eight wickets in 10 games at 35.25, maintaining an economy rate of 9.75.
Isuru Udana made his T20I debut way back in 2009 against Australia at the T20 World Cup in Nottingham. Though he went expensive by conceding 47 runs, he took two wickets in the game of Brad Haddin and David Hussey.
In the last few years, the veteran has been a handy option with the ball, mainly on the slower surfaces due to his cutters and other variations
Udana, who made his ODI debut in 2012, is also a useful lower-order batsman, having scored a half-century each in Test and ODIs. Overall, Udana has 18 wickets in 21 ODIs at 52.77 and 27 scalps in 35 T20Is at 33.88. The veteran’s last match for Sri Lanka saw him bowl only one over, conceding seven runs.
