Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera Likely To Miss ICC World Cup 2023: Report

Sri Lanka could be without their star player Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. Sri Lanka are one of the only two teams who are yet to announce the squad for the marquee event. With September 28 being the deadline to announce the final squad, the Islanders are set to name the team in the coming days.

One of the main reasons behind the delay is the injury to some of their key players. Sri Lanka suffered a number of injury setbacks just before the Asia Cup as the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara missed the competition. And it looks like the delay in announcing the squad won’t make much difference as both Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera are unlikely to recover in time.

Wanindu Hasaranga missed the Asia Cup after suffering a thigh injury during the Lanka Premier League. On the other hand, Chameera sustained a shoulder injury during the LPL just after returning to action following surgery on his ankle. He had suffered the injury during the warm-ups before the ODI World Cup qualifier earlier this year.

Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera doubtful for World Cup 2023:

According to a report in Sri Lankan news outlet Daily News, both Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera are unlikely to be named in the Sri Lanka squad for the ODI World Cup. On the other hand, Lahiru Kumara and Dushan Hemantha are likely to make the cut.

Quoting a senior Sri Lanka selector, the report stated that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is yet to finalize the squad for the tournament. SLC is unlikely to make too many changes to the squad that recently played in the Asia Cup and finished runner-up.

Talking about Wanindu Hasaranga, the leg-spinning allrounder suffered another injury during a training session and is set to undergo scans. Even if he is named in the squad, he is likely to miss the first half of the tournament. The report, however, stated that the spinner might need surgery which would rule him out of the World Cup.

SLC have also received some positive news ahead of the squad announcement. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who suffered a hamstring injury during the Asia Cup, is fit for selection while Madushanka has also recovered after missing the continental championship.