Sri Lankan top-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday just days before the start of an ODI series against Zimbabwe at home.
The 30-year-old left-hander, in his letter of resignation to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), said that he made this decision after considering his family obligations.
“I have very carefully considered my position as a player, husband and am taking this decision looking forward to fatherhood and associated familial obligations,” he said in his letter to the board.”
Rajapaksa, who represented played five ODIs and 18 T20Is for his national team, further wished Sri Lanka Cricket continued success in its future endeavors.
Meanwhile, the sources of SLC have revealed that Rajapaksa has decided to quit international cricket because he can’t play the game with the latest fitness standards introduced by the board, especially the skinfold levels.
The southpaw feels if he brings down his skinfold levels he will not be able to do power-hitting. Notably, Sri Lanka Cricket has lowered the skinfold test levels to 70 from 85. last year, the Cricket Technical Advisory Committee even replaced the Yo-Yo test by a 2km run test to determine the fitness and endurance levels of its players.
