Explained: How Wanindu Hasaranga's test u-turn helped him to not get banned from 4 T20Is

Wanindu Hasaranga took a u-turn from test retirement recently.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga recently made his u-turn from retirement in test cricket to get included in his national team’s squad for Bangladesh test tour. However, following his reversal of retirement and inclusion in Sri Lanka squad, he received suspension from ICC for 2 tests or 4 T20Is or 4 ODIs. He was handed suspension after receiving three demerit points.

Wanindu Hasaranga was charged with level two offence for breaching article 2.8 of ICC Code of Conduct for players after the ODI series against Bangladesh. Hasaranga already had five demerit points to his name in the last 24 months and was suspended for two T20Is or 2 ODIs during the T20I series against Bangladesh earlier. Once again during the third ODI of the series, Hasaranga was charged by ICC for showing dissent towards umpire and received three demerit points, which made his overall demerit points reach eight.

With eight demerit points, it converted into four suspension points. When a player receives four suspension points, the player will be suspended from two tests or four ODIs or four T20Is. Hence, Hasaranga was handed suspension for two tests or four ODIs or four T20Is, whichever he plays first.

How Wanindu Hasaranga used ICC’s loopholes to be ready for T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka will play a two-match test series against Bangladesh starting March 22, which will be their last assignment before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Which means, Sri Lanka T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga would’ve been suspended for first four matches of ICC T20 World Cup 2024. But to avoid suspension during the biggest ICC event of the year, Hasaranga played it smart and reversed his retirement from test cricket and made himself available for selection for Bangladesh tests.

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board included Hasaranga in their squad for two-match test series against Bangladesh, which meant he would be suspended for those two matches and complete his four suspension points and save himself from getting suspended during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

However, to complete his suspension during the two-match test series, Hasaranga has to stay alongside the team during the series. Which means, he will miss at least three matches for his new IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024.

SLC clarifies Wanindu Hasaranga’s comeback

However, denying the claims of Hasaranga and SLC using loopholes, the Island Nation’s cricketing board made it clear that Hasaranga’s decision was not because of ICC’s imposed suspension, but he had informed the board earlier on March 16 and expressed his desire to play test cricket again. Clarifying the same, member of Sri Lanka’s selection committee Ajantha Mendis said, “It was decided before the final ODI.”

For those who don’t know, Hasaranga had announced his retirement from tests in August 2023 to focus on white-ball cricket and T20 leagues around the world.

This is not the first time Sri Lanka Cricket has used such kind of loopholes for their benefits. During the ICC T20 World Cup 2012, Kumar Sangakkar captained Sri Lanka in one game during the tournament, this decision was taken as the regular captain Mahela Jayawardene had already suffered slow over-rate penalties and penalty in one more match would’ve got him banned. Even Angelo Mathews had received penalty for slow over-rates prior to that. Hence, Sangakkara captained the side to save both of Jayawardene and Mathews from getting suspended.

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