Wanindu-Hasaranga. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Star Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has called time on his Test career. His retirement comes with the view of prolonging his international career in white-ball cricket. The star spin-bowling all-rounder represented Sri Lanka in just four Test matches, scoring 196 runs and picking four wickets. He made his debut in the longest format of the game against South Africa in December 2020. His last was against Bangladesh at home in April 2021.
As per various reports, he had expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket in a letter to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the proposal has been accepted. He has stressed that he strives to stretch his career in limited-overs formats and desires to serve the country to the best of his mastery.
“We will accept his decision and are confident that Hasaranga will be a vital part of our white-ball program going forward,” said SLC CEO Ashley De Silva in a statement.
Hasaranga captains B-Love Kandy in LPL 2023
Wanindu Hasaranga is currently leading B-Love Kandy in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL). B-Love Kandy are currently standing second in the LPL 2023 points table after the end of group stage games. They have won four and lost as many games and have acquired eight points. After winning four consecutive matches, Kandy suffered defeats in their last two games against Colombo Strikers and Dambulla Aura, respectively, in the group stage.
Hasaranga is running riot in the ongoing T20 tournament, with his outstanding performances. He is currently the third-highest wicket-taker, having picked up a total of 11 wickets at an average of 15.82 and an economy rate of 5.87. Meanwhile, he is the fourth-highest run-scorer, with a total of 212 runs at an average of 35.33 and a strike rate of 200.
The 26-year-old underperformed for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League 2023. He picked up only nine wickets from eight games at an average of 28.66 and an economy rate of 8.89. With the bat, he scored just 33 runs at an average of 16.50.