The Sri Lankan national cricket team has suffered a major setback as their star spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, is set to miss the entire 2023 ODI World Cup due to a severe hamstring injury.
Hasaranga, a 26-year-old all-rounder renowned for his leg-spin bowling skills, has sustained a grade three hamstring tear, ruling him out of the World Cup.
During the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023, Hasaranga was notably absent from the frontline bowlers, alongside Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka. Additionally, the Sri Lankan team was without the services of off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana in the Asia Cup final, which resulted in India’s convincing 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, dismissing them for just 50 runs.
Hasaranga has an impressive ODI record, having taken 67 wickets in 48 matches at an average of 28.77, including three five-wicket hauls. He has also made valuable contributions with the bat, registering four half-centuries in his career. Consequently, his absence will be a significant blow to the Sri Lankan team in the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to kick off on October 5 in India.
Sri Lanka will commence their World Cup campaign on October 7 against South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The official squad for the ICC event is expected to be announced by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Tuesday, September 26.
Here is the probable 15-man squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup:
Dasun Shanaka (captain)
Pathum Nissanka
Dimuth Karunaratne
Charith Asalanka
Dhananjaya de Silva
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Perera
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Dunith Wellalage
Matheesha Pathirana
Kasun Rajitha
Pramod Madushan
Dushmantha Chameera
Lahiru Kumara
Maheesh Theekshana
