Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga, also known as Pinnaduwage Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, is an international cricketer and the current T20I captain for the Sri Lanka cricket team. He is known for his prowess in white-ball cricket as a bowling all-rounder, specializing in right-arm leg spin. Hasaranga made his international debut for Sri Lanka in July 2017. His elder brother, Chaturanga de Silva, has also represented the national team.

Hasaranga made history during the 2021 T20 World Cup by taking the first-ever hat-trick for Sri Lanka in the tournament. He also holds the distinction of being the first Sri Lankan to take a hat-trick on his ODI debut.

List A and Under-19 Career:

– Wanindu Hasaranga made his List A debut on November 30, 2015, in the AIA Premier Limited Over Tournament. 

– In December 2015, he was named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he showcased his talent by taking seven wickets, including a match-winning performance of 3/34 against England in the quarter-final.

– He made his first-class debut for Sri Lanka Ports Authority Cricket Club in the 2015–16 Premier League Tournament on February 26, 2016, highlighting his potential as an emerging cricketer.

Career Statistics

International Career

2017

Wanindu Hasaranga’s international cricket career has been marked by consistent performances and notable achievements. He burst onto the scene in 2017, making his debut for Sri Lanka in both ODI and T20I formats. His ODI debut against Zimbabwe on July 2, 2017, was particularly memorable, as he took a hat-trick in his first match, becoming the youngest bowler to achieve this feat on debut in an ODI. This early success hinted at the talent and potential that Hasaranga possessed as a bowling all-rounder.

2018

In 2018, Hasaranga was recognized for his contributions to Sri Lankan cricket when he was awarded a national contract by Sri Lanka Cricket, highlighting his growing stature in the team.

2019

The following year, he made his T20I debut against New Zealand in August 2019, further solidifying his position as a key player in the Sri Lankan squad for white-ball cricket.

2020

The year 2020 proved to be a significant one for Hasaranga as he continued to impress with his all-round abilities. During the ODI series against West Indies in March 2020, he showcased his skills with both bat and ball, taking crucial wickets at the right times and scoring match-winning knocks, demonstrating his value to the team in pressure situations.

Hasaranga’s journey in Test cricket began in December 2020 when he was named in Sri Lanka’s Test squad for their series against South Africa. He made his Test debut on December 26, 2020, and although his performance with the ball was modest, he showed glimpses of his batting potential by scoring his maiden Test fifty in the second innings, indicating his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game.

2021

The year 2021 proved to be a breakout year for Hasaranga, as he continued to make significant strides in his career. His performances in the ICC T20 World Cup in October 2021 were particularly noteworthy, where he made history by becoming the first bowler for Sri Lanka to take a hat-trick in a T20 World Cup match. He finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker, breaking the record for the most wickets in a single edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, previously held by Ajantha Mendis. His consistent performances in T20Is throughout the year earned him the second rank in the ICC T20I rankings in July 2021, highlighting his stature as one of the premier spinners in the format.

In addition to his bowling prowess, Wanindu Hasaranga also showcased his batting abilities during the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, scoring crucial runs for his team when needed. His all-round contributions were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s success in the tournament, where they reached the semi-finals. His performances earned him several accolades, including being named in the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year and achieving his career-best ranking in ICC T20I bowling rankings, where he topped the rankings for the first time in his career.

2022

Hasaranga’s consistent performances continued into 2022, where he was once again included in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year in the annual ICC Awards. He further solidified his reputation as a key player for Sri Lanka with match-winning all-round performances in the 2022 Asia Cup, where he played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s victory, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure in high-stakes matches.

2023

In June 2023, Hasaranga was named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, indicating that he remains an integral part of the team’s plans for the future. His journey so far has been characterized by consistent performances, valuable contributions in all formats of the game, and a growing reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s finest all-rounders in modern cricket.

Domestic Career:

– In November 2017, Wanindu Hasaranga was recognized as the most promising player in domestic cricket for the 2016–17 season at Sri Lanka Cricket’s annual awards. 

– He gained attention for his all-round contributions, scoring 586 runs, including a century, with an average just under 40 and a strike rate of 93, while also taking 15 wickets, including a five-wicket haul, in the 2016-17 domestic FC season.

– He was the leading run-scorer for Colombo Cricket Club in the 2018–19 Premier League Tournament, with 765 runs in nine matches, showcasing his consistency and batting prowess in domestic cricket.

Franchise Career:

– Hasaranga made his Twenty20 debut for Sylhet Sixers in the 2017–18 Bangladesh Premier League, marking his entry into franchise cricket.

– He has been a sought-after player in various T20 leagues, being drafted by teams like Jaffna Stallions in the Lanka Premier League and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

– In the 2022 IPL Auction, Wanindu Hasaranga was bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he delivered his best bowling figures in an IPL match and the best for any bowler at the Wankhede Stadium with 5 for 18 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

– Hasaranga was also signed by the Manchester Originals for the 2022 season of The Hundred in England and by the Kandy Falcons for the third edition of the Lanka Premier League in July 2022.

– In 2022, he was signed by Quetta Gladiators for the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

– Hasaranga’s recent career moves include signing with Desert Vipers in the International League T20 in 2022, where he ended up being the third-highest wicket-taker with 9 wickets, and joining Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket in the US for the 2023 season.

– Before the 2024 IPL, Hasaranga was released by the Royal Challengers Bangalore and signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs. 1.5 crore in the auction, indicating his continued appeal in franchise cricket.