SLC gives major update on Wanindu Hasaranga's fitness ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga struggling with hamstring injury.

Wanindu Hasaranga is dealing with a hamstring tear and could possibly be ruled out of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Sri Lanka Cricket Board are still working on a plan to make Wanindu Hasaranga ready to play in World Cup in 2023. Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of Asia Cup 2023 and missed the entire tournament. SLC was expecting Hasaranga to be fit for the mega event beginning next week.

Sri Lanka are yet to announce their final squad for the upcoming World Cup as they are currently dealing with multiple injury scars. Hasaranga has been unfit since the LPL ended. Sri Lankan Cricket Board are now exploring options that involve treatment without surgery to expedite Hasaranga’s comeback in Sri Lankan squad. If Wanindu Hasaranga undergoes surgery, then he will be ruled out of the action for three months.

SLC provides an update on Wanindu Hasaranga

Arjuna De Silva, the head of Sri Lanka Cricket Board's medical panel, provided an update on Hasaranga's injury to a local Sri Lankan newspaper. De Silva said, “We are consulting foreign doctors to see whether he needs surgery or not. If he does, he will be out for at least three months. At the moment, the situation is not that great, and it’s highly unlikely that he can play in the World Cup.” Wanindu Hasaranga will be a crucial cog in Sri Lankan wheel.

Arjuna De Silva further added, “Since he is a key weapon in our attack, we are looking at other options to see how best we can get his services, at least for important games. All that depends on the opinions of the consultant to whom we are trying to show his reports.” Sri Lanka desperately needs the services of their premier spin all-rounder for the 2023 World Cup. Sri Lanka will be commencing their World Cup campaign on October 7 against South Africa.

Wanindu Hasaranga ended up being the leading wicket-taker for his team in the two recent ICC events he participated in. He played a crucial role as an all-rounder in ICC Cricket World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe as well. 28 September is the last cut-off date to announce the final squad for the World Cup 2023, as the warm-up rounds of the tournament will begin on 29 September. Sri Lanka will play Bangladesh and Afghanistan in warm-up games.