I Would Love To Take Wicket Of My Favorite Cricketer Virat Kohli- Wanindu Hasaranga

Updated - 10 Dec 2021, 11:22 PM

Wanindu Hasaranga and Virat Kohli. Photo- Twitter
Wanindu Hasaranga and Virat Kohli. Photo- Twitter

Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has said that it is his dream to get the wicket of his favourite batter and his former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli someday. Hasaranga is currently part of the Lanka Premier League (LPL 2021) and is playing for Jaffna Kings.

The leggie is having a tremendous season with the ball in the ongoing LPL 2021 season. In superb form, Hasaranga has picked five wickets in three games. He was the leading wicket-taker at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, with 16 scalps in 8 games, despite Sri Lanka not reaching past the group stages.

“I would love to get my favourite cricketer Virat Kohli’s wicket someday. I also want to pick Babar Azam and Glenn Maxwell’s wickets as well,” Hasaranga said when asked to name the players who he wishes to dismiss in his career.

Wanindu Hasaranga and Virat Kohli. Photo- Twitter
Wanindu Hasaranga and Virat Kohli. Photo- Twitter

On being asked about the reason behind his success, Hasaranga said that he always try to do the best for his team.

“When I am bowling, I always try to take wickets. When I am in the national team, I always try to do my best for the team. That’s why I am successful,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

I Don’t Want To Be The Next Muttiah Muralitharan Or The Next Rangana Herath: Wanindu Hasaranga

Hasaranga was one of the finds from Sri Lankan cricket and quickly rose in the ranks especially in the T20I cricket. He has a hat-trick in the format as well. He believes leg–spinners can be match-winners in the shortest format.

“Leg spinners can do anything. Because in T20 cricket, batsmen are going to hit big shots. We have a lot of variations. Sometimes, we can get hit for 40-50 runs in a match. But in the next match, we find a way to get back and pick 4-5 wickets. Leg-spinners can win matches,” he added.

Wanindu Hasaranga, T20 World Cup 2021
Wanindu Hasaranga (Image Credit: Twitter)

Sri Lanka is still finding their next big spinners after the retirements of greats like Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath and the media has put some of their expectations on Hasaranga. However, he has said that does not feel the pressure of media and fans comparing him with the two former Sri Lanka spin legends.

“I am always motivated to perform. I don’t feel any pressure. I don’t want to be the next Muralitharan or the next Herath. I want to be the first Hasaranga,” he said.

Also Read: Smriti Mandhana Is The Ideal Candidate To Lead India After Mithali Raj’s Retirement, Says Shantha Rangaswamy

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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Virat Kohli Wanindu Hasaranga