Wanindu Hasaranga won’t be part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.
Sunrisers Hyderabad made a strategic move by acquiring Wanindu Hasaranga for a base price of Rs 1.50 crore to bolster their bowling unit, particularly aiming to reinforce their spin department. Hasaranga, a talented leg-spinner, was let go by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the previous mini-auction.
Presently, Sunrisers Hyderabad relies on Shahbaz Ahmed, Washington Sundar, and Mayank Markhande for their spin options. However, with recent challenges concerning player availability, the team might consider seeking a replacement, a strategy seen in other franchises facing similar situations.
Ashley de Silva, the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), confirmed that Wanindu Hasaranga won’t be participating in the IPL 2024 season due to the need for rehabilitation. De Silva mentioned that Hasaranga chose to prioritize addressing this issue ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
“He is not taking part in the IPL as he needs to do some rehabilitation after meeting the podiatrist. There’s a swelling in the heel and he has been playing with injections. So he has decided to get this issue sorted out before the World Cup and informed us of his decision to skip the IPL this year,” de Silva told the Sunday Times Newspaper.
Hasaranga has been through quite a whirlwind lately. Initially, he was set to miss the start of the IPL 2024 due to his commitment to Test cricket. However, things took a turn when he was asked to serve his ban during the Test series against Bangladesh.
Although he wasn’t part of the national team, Hasaranga didn’t play in SunRisers Hyderabad’s first two IPL matches either. Now, he’s officially decided to step out of the IPL altogether. He mentioned injury worries and his focus on the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in June as reasons for his decision.
As the captain of Sri Lanka’s T20I team, he’s planning to head to Dubai for a consultation with a specialist regarding his injury. His goal is to get fully fit before the ICC tournament in the Caribbean and the USA. He’s determined to be in top form when the big event kicks off.
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