Bhanuka Rajapaksa communicated his decision in a letter written to the Lanka cricket board.
In a shocking development, 30-year-old Sri Lankan batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. As per reports, the cricketer decided to focus on family obligations, while some cited that it may have been inspired by the tough fitness benchmarks set by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) for the players.
Amid speculation, Sri Lanka legend Lasith Malinga made a special request to Rajapaksa and urged him to reconsider his decision. The former cricketer said in a tweet that he believes the batsman has "a lot to offer to Sri Lankan cricket and I request him to reconsider his decision to retire from international cricket."
Representing your country at International level is not an easy task and players always face so many challenges.
— Lasith Malinga (@ninety9sl) January 5, 2022
I truly believe that @BhanukaRajapak3 has a lot more to give to Sri Lankan cricket and I request him to reconsider his decision to retire from International cricket🤞
Rajapaksa conveyed his decision in a letter to the Lanka Cricket Board. In the letter, the batsman said: "Looking forward to fatherhood and related family obligations," according to a report in the Associated Press.
Rajapaksa was earlier involved in a dispute with the cricket board and head coach Mickey Arthur over fitness demands. Failure to meet fitness and fielding standards resulted in him being dropped from the national team and fined for a media interview criticizing his exclusion.
However, Rajapaksa later worked on his fitness and secured selection in the national team.
Rajapaksa has played five ODIs and 18 T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka.