Angelo Mathews Announces Retirement from Test Cricket

Former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews has announced his retirement from Test cricket. He confirmed that the upcoming Test match against Bangladesh in Galle will be his final appearance in whites.

Mathews Ends a Glorious Test Career

Mathews shared an emotional statement on social media. He said it was the right time to make way for the younger generation. The first Test against Bangladesh on June 17 will mark the end of his red-ball career.

“With a grateful heart and unforgettable memories, it is time for me to say goodbye to the most cherished format of the game — International Test Cricket,” Mathews wrote.

The 36-year-old all-rounder played 118 Tests for Sri Lanka. He scored 8,167 runs at an average of 44.62, including 16 centuries and 45 fifties. He also took 33 wickets with the ball. As captain, he led Sri Lanka in 34 Tests and won 13 of them — the second most for a Sri Lankan skipper after Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya.

A Farewell at Home, But White-Ball Career Continues

Mathews said he will remain available for selection in ODIs and T20Is. He expressed hope for the future of Sri Lankan cricket, saying the current Test team has many talented players who can shine.

“This Test team is a talented side with many future and present greats. Now seems like the best time to make way for a younger player,” he added.

His final match gives him the chance to surpass Virat Kohli’s tally of home Test runs. Mathews is just 13 runs behind Kohli, who also retired from Tests earlier this month.

Sri Lanka Looks to Start Fresh WTC Cycle

Sri Lanka had a tough end to the previous World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, with series losses to Australia and South Africa. The team will aim for a strong start to the new cycle and give Mathews a winning farewell.

Mathews becomes the second major Sri Lankan player to retire from Tests in 2025, following Dimuth Karunaratne’s farewell earlier this year.

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