Wanindu Hasaranga Retires From Test Cricket
Sri Lankan cricket sensation Wanindu Hasaranga has decided to step away from Test cricket to focus on his performance in shorter formats of the game, Sri Lanka Cricket revealed on Tuesday, August 15th. The leg-spinning all-rounder aims to extend his career in limited-overs cricket.
“We will accept his decision and are confident that Hasaranga will be a vital part of our white-ball program going forward,” Ashley De Silva, the CEO of SLC, said in a statement.
Highlighting the changing preferences in cricket formats, Wanindu Hasaranga, a standout spinner from Sri Lanka, has chosen to step away from Test cricket at the age of 26. His decision underscores the evolving landscape where not all emerging cricketers prioritize the traditional longer format. In an official statement, Sri Lanka Cricket disclosed that Hasaranga conveyed his intention to retire from Test cricket in order to extend his career as a specialist in limited-overs formats. While initially surprising, a closer look at Hasaranga’s choice reveals a more nuanced perspective.
While Wanindu Hasaranga has excelled in limited-overs cricket, securing the No.3 spot in the T20I bowlers’ rankings, his performance in Test matches hasn’t reached the same level of impact.
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Though assessing a cricketer’s abilities based on just four Test matches is limited, Wanindu Hasaranga’s performance in the longest format fell short with four wickets at a high average of 100.75. Consequently, Sri Lanka chose to exclude him from Test cricket for over two years. His final Test appearance was against Bangladesh in April 2021 on home soil. Despite his involvement in various Test preparatory camps, Hasaranga didn’t secure a spot in the main squad during this two-year period.
The signs were clear that Hasaranga wasn’t part of Sri Lanka’s red-ball strategy, at least for the current phase. Despite being a capable lower-order batsman and a leg-spinning asset, he had the opportunity to alter this trajectory. However, he chose not to pursue that path and instead shifted his focus towards enhancing his white-ball journey. This decision sheds light on the mindset of emerging cricketers, particularly those eager to excel in diverse T20 leagues.
Hasaranga, a familiar face in the IPL playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, encountered a situation where he had to withdraw from participation in the Major League Cricket in the USA. This decision came about due to his selection in a training camp designated for Test cricketers. Similar to England’s Moeen Ali and several other players, Hasaranga opted to bid farewell to Test cricket. This choice possibly stems from a desire to remain open for various T20 leagues taking place globally at different points in the year.
Unlike the previous instance involving Thisara Perera’s premature retirement declaration, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) refrained from intervening in Hasaranga’s decision, signaling a recognition of the evolving dynamics within cricket. Ashley De Silva, the CEO of SLC, conveyed the board’s acceptance of Hasaranga’s choice and expressed confidence in his significant role within the white-ball program moving forward. This stance underscores a growing acknowledgment by cricket boards of the shifting landscape in the sport.
Having participated in 48 ODIs and 58 T20I matches, Hasaranga contributed significantly to Sri Lanka with a collective tally of 158 wickets taken and 1,365 runs scored. Despite his departure from Test cricket, he will maintain his crucial presence within Sri Lanka’s white-ball teams.
His impact was palpable in a recent achievement, as he played a pivotal role in securing Sri Lanka’s spot in the ICC World Cup 2023. During the Qualifier held in Zimbabwe, Hasaranga emerged as the top wicket-taker of the tournament, claiming an impressive 22 wickets, thereby playing a vital role in his team’s success.
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