Sri Lanka’s versatile bowling all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga, has chosen to bid farewell to Test cricket in favor of focusing on his limited-overs career. The 26-year-old made his Test debut against South Africa in December 2020 but has since participated in just four Test matches. His most recent appearance in the longest format dates back to April 2021, when Sri Lanka faced Bangladesh at home.
Wanindu Hasaranga conveyed his decision to retire from Test cricket to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on August 15th, a decision that was subsequently accepted by the board. CEO of SLC, Ashley De Silva, expressed the organization’s support for Hasaranga’s choice, affirming his belief that Hasaranga’s contributions will continue to be integral to the white-ball program.
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Throughout his cricketing journey, Wanindu Hasaranga has notably excelled in the limited-overs arena. Since his One Day International (ODI) debut in 2017, he has solidified his role as a crucial figure in Sri Lanka’s limited-overs setup. Across 48 ODIs and 58 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is),Wanindu Hasaranga has showcased his skills, amassing a combined total of 158 wickets and 1365 runs.
Recently, Wanindu Hasaranga played an instrumental role in steering Sri Lanka’s qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. His outstanding performance in the Qualifier held in Zimbabwe secured Sri Lanka’s victory, with Wanindu Hasaranga emerging as the standout wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming an impressive tally of 22 wickets.
With Wanindu Hasaranga’s retirement from Test cricket, the cricketing world anticipates witnessing his continued prowess on the limited-overs stage. His multifaceted abilities as both a bowler and a batsman position him as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s aspirations in the white-ball formats. As he embarks on this new chapter in his career,Wanindu Hasaranga’s contributions to Sri Lanka’s cricketing success remain highly anticipated and valued.
