Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign has suffered a major blow as star allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the tournament following a serious hamstring injury sustained during their opening match against Ireland in Colombo.
Injury Details Confirm Tournament Exit
An MRI scan conducted on Monday revealed a significant tear in Hasaranga’s left hamstring, ending his World Cup journey prematurely. The 27-year-old completed his four-over spell against Ireland, claiming impressive figures of 3 for 25 to secure a 20-run victory, but was visibly struggling with discomfort.
After consultation with a specialist in the UK, the Sri Lankan team management confirmed the severity of the injury on Tuesday. The tear is linked to a previous hamstring complaint, though not an exact recurrence, adding to Hasaranga’s ongoing battle with injuries over recent years.
Historic Milestone Before Exit
Despite the unfortunate timing, Hasaranga achieved a remarkable milestone in this World Cup match. His three-wicket haul against Ireland elevated him past Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi to become the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history with 40 wickets in just 20 matches.
Only Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (50 wickets in 43 matches) stands ahead of Hasaranga, highlighting the Sri Lankan spinner’s exceptional tournament record with an economy rate of 6.01.
The ICC is expected to approve fellow leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha as Hasaranga’s replacement. The 31-year-old brings similar skills but has limited international experience, with just three T20Is and four wickets to his name.
