Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga

Role:

Batting Style: Right Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm legbreak

Country: Sri Lanka

Team: Rajasthan Royals

Player profile for Wanindu Hasaranga

Pinnaduwage Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, commonly known as Wanindu Hasaranga, is a prominent Sri Lankan cricketer born on July 29, 1997, in Galle, Sri Lanka. Renowned for his skills as an all-rounder, Hasaranga excels as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm leg-spin bowler. He has significantly contributed to Sri Lanka’s national team across all formats—Test, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I).

Early Life and Education

Hasaranga received his early education at Richmond College in Galle, where he began his cricketing journey. Initially starting as a seam bowler, he transitioned to leg-spin under the guidance of his coach, Lanka de Silva, who recognized his potential in this bowling style. This shift proved pivotal in his development as a cricketer.

Domestic and Franchise Career

  • Domestic Debut: Hasaranga made his List A debut in November 2015 during the AIA Premier Limited Over Tournament. He further showcased his talent by representing Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team in the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, notably taking seven wickets, including a match-winning 3/34 against England in the quarter-final.
  • Franchise Participation: Throughout his career, Hasaranga has been a sought-after player in various T20 leagues:
    • Bangladesh Premier League: He debuted for the Sylhet Sixers in November 2017.
    • Lanka Premier League: He was named Player of the Tournament in 2020, taking seventeen wickets.
    • Indian Premier League (IPL): Hasaranga joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2021, making an immediate impact with standout bowling performances.

International Career

  • ODI Debut: Hasaranga debuted against Zimbabwe on July 2, 2017. Remarkably, he achieved a hat-trick on debut, becoming the youngest player and only the third debutant in ODI history to do so.
  • T20I Debut: He made his T20I debut on September 1, 2019, against New Zealand. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, Hasaranga’s exceptional performance included a hat-trick against South Africa, making him the first Sri Lankan to achieve this feat in a T20 World Cup match.
  • Test Debut: He debuted in Test cricket against South Africa on December 26, 2020. In March 2021, Hasaranga scored his maiden ODI half-century, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s performance.

Achievements and Records

  • ICC Rankings: In July 2021, Hasaranga ascended to the second spot in the ICC T20I bowling rankings, reflecting his outstanding performances.
  • 2021 T20 World Cup: He finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets, surpassing Ajantha Mendis’ record for the most wickets in a single T20 World Cup edition.
  • 2022 Asia Cup: Hasaranga’s pivotal role included match-winning performances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, earning him the Player of the Tournament award.

Personal Life

Wanindu Hasaranga is married to Vindya Padmaperuma. The couple tied the knot on March 9, 2023.

Playing Style

As an all-rounder, Hasaranga’s aggressive leg-spin bowling and lower-middle-order batting have been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s cricketing successes. His ability to turn matches with both bat and ball has solidified his status as a key player in the national team.

Wanindu Hasaranga’s dynamic contributions continue to elevate Sri Lanka’s stature in international cricket, marking him as one of the leading all-rounders of his generation.