Early Life and Education
Edirimuni Chamika Dinushan Perera Karunaratne, born on May 29, 1996, is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer known for his versatility across all formats of the game, and also a national badminton player. He pursued his primary and secondary education at Royal College, Colombo, where he excelled in multiple sports, captaining the athletics, badminton, and cricket teams. Karunaratne’s prowess earned him the prestigious Royal Crown twice, recognizing his outstanding achievements in sports during his school years. His cricketing journey began at Royal College in 2008, quickly progressing from the under-13C team to the under-13A team, where he became the top run-scorer among C division cricket teams.
Domestic and T20 Franchise Career
Karunaratne made his first-class debut for Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in the 2015–16 Premier League Tournament. His impressive performances led to selections in various squads: Kandy’s team for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament and the 2018 SLC T20 League. He was also included in the preliminary squad for the 2018 Asia Cup by Sri Lanka Cricket. His consistent performances saw him play for Colombo in the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament and later for SLC Reds in the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament. In the Lanka Premier League, he represented the Dambulla Giants in 2021 and Kandy Falcons in 2022. His skills caught the attention of the Kolkata Knight Riders, who bought him for the 2022 Indian Premier League, and he later joined the Dubai Capitals for the ILT20.
International Career
Karunaratne’s international debut came in December 2018 when he was named in Sri Lanka’s team for the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup. He made his Test debut against Australia in February 2019. His One Day International (ODI) debut followed in May 2021 against Bangladesh, and he made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut in July 2021 against India. Karunaratne was a key player in Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His all-round performances against Australia in July 2022 earned him the Man of the Match award in the second ODI, and he scored his maiden ODI half-century in the fifth match of the series. He was also part of the squad for the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Outside Cricket
Beyond cricket, Karunaratne has excelled in athletics, being a junior national champion in javelin throw, and in badminton, following in the footsteps of his father Louie Karunaratne and brothers Dinuka, Niluka, and Diluka, all of whom are professional badminton players. He and his elder brother Niluka represented Sri Lanka in the men’s singles at the Sri Lankan Badminton Nationals in February 2021. In October 2022, Karunaratne became the brand ambassador for the nutritional brand Prima Stella Diary.
Controversies
Karunaratne’s career has been marred by controversies. During the 2022 Asia Cup, he mocked the Bangladeshi team with a “Naagin dance,” drawing criticism for inappropriate conduct. In November 2022, he was fined and handed a one-year suspended ban from all forms of cricket for multiple breaches of his player agreement during the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Incidents included lighting an unattended oil lamp in his hotel, leading to potential fire hazards, and engaging in altercations and inappropriate conduct off the field.
A leaked report by national chief selector Pramodya Wickremasinghe highlighted Karunaratne’s lack of focus on cricket, citing his involvement in extracurricular activities, skipping training sessions, and inappropriate behavior towards women. These revelations led to his exclusion from the Sri Lankan squad for the home ODI series against Afghanistan, raising concerns and dissatisfaction among fans and officials, including the sports minister.
Conclusion
Chamika Karunaratne remains a talented yet controversial figure in Sri Lankan cricket. His achievements in multiple sports are commendable, but his off-field behavior and disciplinary issues have overshadowed his career. As he navigates these challenges, his future in cricket will depend on his ability to focus on his game and maintain professionalism both on and off the field.
