Wanindu Hasaranga, born on July 29, 1997, in Galle, Sri Lanka, started his cricketing career at Richmond College. He was a seam bowler initially but switched to leg-spin with the help of his mentor, which was a turning point in his career. His ability was discovered at the ICC U19 World Cup in 2016, where he displayed his potential as a future star in Sri Lankan cricket.
Hasaranga gained international experience in June 2017 with a great performance by taking a hat-trick on his first ODI match against Zimbabwe. He became the first Sri Lankan and third ever to score a hat-trick on ODI debut. Subsequently, he gained his T20I cap in October 2019 against New Zealand and his Test cap in December 2020 against South Africa.
CAPTION: Sri Lanka’s spin sensation on a mission! Records tumble as Hasaranga shines on the global stage. SOURCE: Instagram Throughout his career, he has achieved numerous landmarks, like being named the world's No. 1 T20I bowler in ICC rankings in 2021 and becoming the top wicket-taker in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 with 16 wickets.
Wanindu Hasaranga has played for numerous teams in franchise and domestic cricket. Within Sri Lanka, his teams are the Colombo Cricket Club and the Galle Cricket Club. He has also played for leading franchises globally, such as Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL), Rajasthan Royals (IPL), Jaffna Stallions (LPL), and Rangpur Riders (BPL).
His performances in these tournaments have earned him much fame and large contracts, like INR 10.75 crore from Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2022 IPL mega auction.
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Hasaranga's professional figures indicate his presence in international cricket. In Tests, he has played 4 games, scoring 196 runs at a 28.00 average and taking 4 wickets. In ODIs, he has played 63 games, scoring 977 runs at a 22.20 average and taking 99 wickets. His T20I career is equally impressive, with 131 wickets in 79 games at a 15.41 average.
CAPTION: Sri Lanka’s match-winner—one wicket at a time! Hasaranga’s stats tell a story of dominance. SOURCE: Instagram His ability to score crucial runs and take wickets when it matters has established him as a valuable player for Sri Lanka.
During his career, Wanindu Hasaranga has received several awards. He was named in the ICC Men's ODI and T20I Teams of the Year for 2021, given for his performance in both these forms of the game. He was also named Player of the Series for the Asia Cup in 2022, becoming one of the leading stars in international cricket.
Despite his success, Hasaranga has suffered setbacks, including injuries that have kept him away from top-level tournaments such as the IPL and ODI World Cup in recent years. Persistent heel pain prevented him from playing during the IPL season early in 2024, but he came back in fine fettle to lead Sri Lanka in the ICC T20 World Cup later in the year.
CAPTION: Knocked down but never out! Hasaranga turns adversity into triumph every single time. SOURCE: Instagram His resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks have been critical in making him one of Sri Lanka's most powerful players.
Wanindu Hasaranga's impact on Sri Lankan cricket extends beyond his achievements. He has inspired a new generation of cricketers with his unconventional bowling action and all-around abilities. His exploits in franchise leagues have also increased Sri Lanka's visibility in global cricket, opening doors for greater participation of Sri Lankan players in overseas competitions. As such, he remains a vital part of Sri Lanka's cricketing landscape, both domestically and internationally.
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