‘What is happening in world cricket?’ – Aakash Chopra baffled by Wanindu Hasaranga’s Test retirement

Wanindu Hasaranga. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra is baffled following the announcement of Sri Lanka star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga’s Test retirement. Notably, the spinner called time on the longest format of the game, informing Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) of his decision on August 15.

Having made his debut in the format in 2020, against South Africa in Centurion, Hasaranga appeared in merely four matches and claimed four wickets. While the star spinner has taken massive strides in white-ball cricket, he failed to replicate that in the longest format.

Hasaranga made the decision to focus on more franchise cricket competitions. While the decision has garnered mixed reactions, cricketer-turned-broadcaster Chopra expressed his disappointment on players preferring to play franchise cricket instead of the longest format.

“Wanindu Hasaranga has said he doesn’t want to play Test cricket. He is just 26 years old but has turned his back on Test cricket. What are you doing? Is that right, is that wrong? Trent Boult and Alex Hales have not even taken a contract. What is happening in world cricket?” Chopra pointed out on his YouTube channel.

“There is no doubt that he is an amazing player in T20 cricket. It won’t be wrong to say that he is Sri Lanka’s best player in white-ball cricket but he said he doesn’t want to play Test cricket and instead wants to focus on white-ball cricket,” he added.

With the new leagues taking centre stage, players are preferring to play in these competitions as it provides lucrative offers as compared to Test cricket. The star spinner is currently plying his trade for B-Love Kandy in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023.

Hasaranga will join the national team following the conclusion of the LPL 2023 for the Asia Cup 2023, which is slated to begin on August 30. Sri Lanka will kickstart their campaign against Bangladesh at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on August 31.