Sri Lanka's leg-spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, has surprised many by taking a U-turn from his retirement from Test cricket. Hasaranga has been included in Sri Lanka’s 17-member Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh, starting on March 22.
The Test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25.
Hasaranga had announced his Test retirement in August 2023 to focus on white-ball cricket. In four Tests so far, he has four wickets at an average of 100.75. He last played a Test in April 2021, against Bangladesh at home.
Hasaranga's return adds depth to Sri Lanka's spin bowling attack. He forms a formidable spin attack alongside Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, and all-rounders Nishan Peiris and Kamindu Mendis.
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Meanwhile, Dhananjaya de Silva has been retained as Sri Lanka’s Test captain, with Kusal Mendis serving as his deputy for the upcoming two-match Test series against the Tigers.
Angelo Mathews was also named in Sri Lanka’s squad. The test series is set to kick off on March 22 in Sylhet, followed by the second and final test in Chattogram starting on March 30.
Here’s Sri Lanka’s Test squad:
Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain), Kusal Mendis (Vice-Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Nishan Peiris, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Chamika Gunasekara
(With ICC Inputs)