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Former Sri Lankan cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga was unrecognisable in his recent image with Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva and Muttiah Muralitharan, leaving fans online shocked. The four pillars of Sri Lankan cricket appeared in high spirits, but it was Ranatunga’s striking transformation that stole the spotlight. Dressed in a red kurta, the former skipper looked almost unrecognisable, slimmer than during his playing days. Throughout his 18-year career, Ranatunga was known for carrying a heavier frame, though it never hindered his performance; he amassed almost 12,500 runs across Tests and ODIs. However, Ranatunga’s fitness did draw attention at times when he requested a runner during games. His on-field tactics even sparked a heated exchange with former Aussie skipper Ian Healy, who once confronted him with a volley of expletives. In fact, much like Pakistan’s great Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ranatunga was never known for a lean physique. But his latest appearance, showing a slimmer frame, has become a major talking point. Ranatunga’s drastic transformation left fans stunned, with many struggling to believe it was him in the picture. While some voiced concern over his health, others even turned to Grok for confirmation of his identity. See the image here: ??? pic.twitter.com/H28ZlVZRhX — Sanath Jayasuriya (@Sanath07) November 5, 2025 “Is Arjuna in Red? If yes, is he sick?” a user questioned on Thursday night. Is Arjuna in Red? If yes, is he sick? — Subramaniam Krishnan (@SubramaniamKr16) November 6, 2025 “Arjuna looking 20 years younger than everyone else,” another user commented. Arjuna looking 20 years younger than everyone else — ranidu (@Ranidu) November 6, 2025 Ranatunga’s transformation is not new. During the 2023 Asia Cup, he grabbed headlines for criticising the Asian Cricket Council’s decision to add a reserve day for the India-Pakistan clash and the final. While Ranatunga’s comments on BCCI’s influence stirred debate, it was his noticeable physical change that drew even greater attention. Now 61 and nearing 62, Ranatunga has not revealed the reason behind his weight loss, though his refreshed appearance suggests it is the result of a commendable, if unspoken, fitness journey rather than a health problem.
