Sri Lanka in shock: Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of cricketing action due to hamstring injury

Sri Lanka suffered a major blow after losing the second and final T20I by a mere five runs to New Zealand, as Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series, starting on November 13 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla.

Before this setback, Wanindu Hasaranga delivered a spectacular bowling performance in the second T20I against New Zealand at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla.

Wanindu Hasaranga's stunning performance in the second T20I ends in heartbreak against New Zealand

Despite battling a left hamstring injury, the Sri Lankan spinner took 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs, leaving New Zealand reeling at 52/6 after 10.3 overs in Dambulla. His exceptional performance came on the back of a strong outing in the first T20I match, where he had claimed 2 wickets for 20 runs.

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In the second and final T20I game, Wanindu Hasaranga was unstoppable, as New Zealand's batters struggled to cope with his spin, ultimately falling to his brilliant spell as the tourists bowled out for a paltry total of 108 runs with three balls to spare.

Chasing the target, Sri Lanka faltered, as Lockie Ferguson and Glenn Phillips’ three-wicket hauls helped the Black Caps restrict to 103 runs, winning the second T20I by five runs to level the two-match T20I series 1-1 on Sunday, November 10, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

Wanindu Hasaranga to miss the ODI series: Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka has confirmed that Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against the Black Caps at home. The star leg spinner, who won the Player of the Series award for his exceptional performance in the T20I series, suffered a hamstring injury during the final T20I encounter in Dambulla.

Charith Asalanka said at the post-match press conference ahead of the New Zealand ODIs, “Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the ODI series, but I think Kusal Mendis will be ready to play one day.”

Confirmation from Charith Asalanka that Wanindu Hasaranga is unlikely to feature in the ODI series. The leg-spinner who was Player of the Series in the T20s suffered a hamstring injury today.

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) November 10, 2024

“Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of ODI Series, Kusal Mendis Likely to Play Despite Injury Concerns” - Charith Asalanka pic.twitter.com/Dp7xKgG2cW

— Lahiru Mudalige (@LMudalige) November 11, 2024

I think it's bad: Hasaranga on his hamstring injury

After winning the Player of the Series award, Hasaranga has opened up about his hamstring injury. The spinner stated, “Finally, I can have a few weeks break after this match. I think it's bad. I wanted to bowl my four overs to cut down their total. I can't run, so I tried to maximize with the bat, but I got out. I wanted to bowl the stumps' line with the 5-meter length; I tried to do my basic things.”

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Asalanka said on the Islanders' narrow defeat in the second T20I, “Full credit goes to New Zealand, undone by good bowling and good fielding. We could have batted a little bit better. Only today we struggled against spin; basically, we are playing spin well. We have to get the right options on these tracks.

I think we have a settled team right now. This kind of game can happen anytime at any point in this journey. I just believe in my bunch, just go and play good cricket. It's very important for us to climb in the rankings; the guys are in really good mood to play the one-dayers.”