Blow for SRH! Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of IPL 2024 as Sri Lanka captain prioritizes T20 World Cup

Star Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga will not be joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that Hasaranga has been ruled out of India’s T20 tournament due to injury.

Sunrisers Hyderabad signed Wanindu Hasaranga for a base price of Rs 1.50 crore as their main overseas spinner, aiming to strengthen their bowling squad. The leg-spinner was released from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team before last year’s mini-auction.

SRH’s spin department currently includes Shahbaz Ahmed, Washington Sundar, and Mayank Markhande. Considering recent player availability challenges, the franchise may opt to seek a replacement, a strategy adopted by several other teams in similar situations.

Wanindu Hasaranga Is Not Taking Part In The IPL – SLC CEO

SLC CEO Ashley de Silva confirmed that Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the IPL 2024 season due to the need for rehabilitation. De Silva stated that Hasaranga opted to address this issue before 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.

Recently, Hasaranga experienced a whirlwind of events. He was slated to miss the earlier part of IPL 2024 due to his return to Test cricket. However, his availability for the event changed when he was asked to serve his ban during the Test series against Bangladesh.

Despite being absent from the national team, Hasaranga did not play in SunRisers Hyderabad’s first two matches in the IPL 2024. However, he has now officially opted out of the IPL, citing injury concerns and a focus on the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in June.

The Sri Lanka T20I captain is set to travel to Dubai to consult with a specialist about his injury, aiming to fully recover before the ICC tournament in the Caribbean and the USA. He is determined to be fully fit before the start of the upcoming marquee event.

He Has To Take Care Of His Ankle – Wanindu Hasaranga’s Manager

Hasaranga’s manager refuted suggestions that his absence was due to dissatisfaction with his auction price. According to a report by Cricbuzz, the manager highlighted Hasaranga’s injury and national team commitments as the primary reasons for his absence.

“If money was a factor, we could have enrolled for an INR 2 crore base price. Besides, fewer games mean less money. He has to take care of his ankle. He is also the captain of the national team,” Hasaranga’s manager said.

Hasaranga was acquired by SRH at his base price during the auction. Previously, the premier spinner secured a lucrative deal worth Rs. 10.75 crore two years ago and demonstrated his skill by emerging as one of the top wicket-takers in the 2022 tournament.

Also read: Wanindu Hasaranga tricked ICC into imposing ban? SLC insider makes explosive revelation