Wanindu Hasaranga has resigned as Sri Lanka's T20I captain following the side's group stage exit from the 2024 men's T20I World Cup last month.
Hasaranga had only been in charge of the T20I side for six months after he was appointed to the role in January earlier this year when Dasun Shanaka's time as captain of both Sri Lanka men's white ball sides came to an end. The allrounder started off his reign with a series win over Zimbabwe, before also recording a 2-1 series win over Afghanistan ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Hasaranga's resignation follows that of head coach Chris Silverwood, who resigned from his role shortly after Sri Lanka were eliminated from the competition. Silverwood had been in charge of the side in all three formats since April 2022.
The 2024 T20 World Cup was Sri Lanka's second disappointing tournament performance in a row after they finished ninth in the 2023 World Cup. In the Carribean, Sri Lanka lost to South Africa and Bangladesh in Group D of the tournament, and finished three points adrift of second placed Bangladesh to crash out of the competition at the first hurdle.
While two batting collapses in the games they lost were the primary reason for their early exit, senior players and team management spoke out about the amount of travel compared to other sides Sri Lanka had to make during the tournament. In the group stage, only Bangladesh travelled further than Sri Lanka and they were one of only two sides playing their group games at four different venues.
In a statement released by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board announcing his retirment, Hasaranga said: Sri Lanka will always have my utmost best efforts as a player, and I will support and stand by my team and leadership as always."
Sri Lanka Cricket have clarified that Hasranaga will remain 'an important player' in their white ball sides despite his resignation as captain. A successor has not yet been named. The side will play a T20I series against India later this month.
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