Sri Lanka’s ace weapon, spinner Wanindu Hasaranga might miss the entire upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 after aggravating his hamstring injury, reports have stated. This might be a huge setback for the Sri Lankan side.
Hasaranga also missed the recent Asia Cup 2023 tournament after he had suffered the injury during the Lanka Premier League 2023. Sri Lanka was without a majority of their bowling stars as Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara also missed the Asia Cup 2023.
And Maheesh Theekshana also suffered a niggle ahead of the final and missed the summit clash.
Sri Lanka is 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.
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As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, Wanindu Hasaranga aggravated his hamstring tear and might even have to undergo surgery to rectify the issue. The chair of SLC's medical committee, Arjuna de Silva, said that "medically it seems unlikely that Wanindu will be fit" for much of the World Cup's duration.
The selectors may still pick him of course, in the hopes he will be available towards the end of the round-robin stage. But medical advice is that such a move will be a significant risk.
On the other hand, fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, and spinner Maheesh Theekshana are also still on the road back from injury. Chameera had 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. Chameera has started bowling in the nets and building up his workload. But Theekshana is currently in rehab.
Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara, who missed the Asia Cup through injury, are now essentially back to full fitness, de Silva said.
The ICC World Cup 2023 begins in India on October 5 with New Zealand taking on England in the opening match in Ahmedabad.
(ESPNCricinfo report)
