Despite the injury, Hasaranga put in an outstanding performance, taking 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs.
Former RCB bowler Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand due to a left hamstring injury he sustained while bowling in the second T20I. This is a big blow for Sri Lanka.
Despite the injury, Hasaranga put in an outstanding performance, taking 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs. This followed a good performance in the first T20I, where he claimed 2 wickets for 20 runs.
Hasaranga was named Player of the Series and during the post-match presentation, he spoke about his hamstring injury.
“I can finally have a few weeks of rest after this game. I think it’s bad (because of his hamstring injury). I wanted to play my four overs to reduce the total. I can’t run, so I tried to maximize (with the bat) but I got out. I wanted to throw the stump line with a length of 5 metres, I tried to do my basic things,” Hasaranga said.
Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed that Hasaranga has returned to Colombo to begin injury rehabilitation at the High Performance Centre. In his absence, Dushan Hemantha has joined the squad as his replacement.
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Wanindu Hasaranga was released by SRH ahead of the IPL 2025 auction after missing the IPL 2024 season due to injury. With the IPL 2025 auction approaching, it will be interesting to see which team picks him.
New Zealand level series with thrilling five-run win
In the second T20I, Wanindu Hasaranga’s superb spin bowling restricted New Zealand to just 108 runs. However, Sri Lanka stumbled in their chase and were restricted to 103 runs as Lockie Ferguson took a hat-trick and Glenn Phillips also took three wickets. New Zealand won by five runs, tying the series 1-1.
The three-match ODI series begins tomorrow, November 13, with the next matches scheduled for November 17 and 19. The first match will be at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium and the last two at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
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