Sri Lanka’s leg-spin-bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is set to miss World Cup 2023 in India after suffering a grade three hamstring tear.
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Hasaranga, 26, skipped the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023 due to an injury sustained before the final of the 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL). His injury aggravated during rehabilitation, reducing the chances of his participation at the World Cup.
According to an Espncricinfo report, head of SLC’s medical committee, Arjuna de Silva, has said that “medically it seems unlikely that Wanindu will be fit” for the majority of the fixtures.
A vital cog in Sri Lanka’s World Cup plans, Hasaranga was the highest wicket-taker of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. He bagged 22 wickets, helping his nation finish the tournament unbeaten and earn a World Cup berth.
In one of the best T20 performances of all time, B-Love Kandy captain Hasaranga almost single-handedly propelled his team to a maiden LPL title. He finished as the leading wicket-taker (19) and run-scorer (279) in the tournament.
From 48 ODIs, Hasaranga has picked up 67 wickets at 28.77 while going at 5.07 an over. He has also scored 832 runs at 23.77 and a strike rate of 110.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup preparation has been ravaged by injuries, and the participation of several vital players is in limbo.
Pacer Dushmantha Chameera, who sustained a pectoral injury, is back in the nets, but ace spinner Maheesh Theekshana is currently in rehab after pulling his hamstring in the Asia Cup game against Pakistan. Theekshana is likelier than Hasaranga to make it back in time for the World Cup, but Chameera seems uncertain.
De Silva also confirmed that fast bowlers Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara, who were ruled out of the Asia Cup, have recovered.
Sri Lanka have not made it to the World Cup semi-finals since their consecutive final appearances in 2007 and 2011.
