Ahead of their World Cup 2023 squad announcement, Sri Lanka were hit by a massive injury blow. Hasaranga, 26, the highest wicket-taker in the ICC World Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, was ruled out due to a hamstring tear. He bagged 22 wickets, playing a massive role in his nation’s World Cup qualification.

Hasaranga, who went under the knife to treat his injury, confirmed his surgery was successful. He thanked everybody concerned with his medical treatment. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Hi everyone, I am happy to inform you that my surgery to repair the defect in my hamstring muscle/tendon was a success, thanks to the brilliant work of Prof. Fares Haddad and the amazing hospital staff. I will see you soon.”

Hi everyone,

I am happy to inform you that my surgery to repair the defect in my hamstring muscle/tendon was a success, thanks to the brilliant work of Prof. Fares Haddad and the amazing hospital staff.

I will see you soon.

WH49 😇🤞 pic.twitter.com/0HkaewRyG4

— Wanindu Hasaranga (@Wanindu49) October 10, 2023

The wrist-spinner sustained the injury before the final of the 2023 Lanka Premier League. His injury aggravated during his rehabilitation, ousting him from the quadrennial event. In one of the most impactful T20 feats, skipper Hasaranga almost single-handedly propelled his team, B-Love Kandy, to a title win.

Late in the build-up, Sri Lanka had hoped Hasaranga would be fit to play at least some part in the competition, but those hopes are now over.

Several injury scares ravaged Sri Lanka before the World Cup 2023 as pacer Dushmanta Chameera also missed out due to a pectoral injury. However, the island nation was buoyed by the return of leg-spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who pulled his hamstring in Asia Cup 2023. The addition of fit-again pacers Dilshan Madhushanka and Lahiru Kumara has bolstered Sri Lanka’s campaign as well.