Sri Lanka have faced a significant setback with spin-bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series against India due to a left hamstring injury. In his place, leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay has been named as his replacement for the final two ODIs.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed the news, noting that Hasaranga experienced pain while bowling the final ball of his spell in the first ODI.
SLC’s media release on August 3 stated:
“He experienced pain in his left hamstring while delivering the last ball of his 10th over during the first ODI. An MRI performed on the player, following this, confirmed the injury.”
Hasaranga was pivotal in the first ODI, helping Sri Lanka secure a tie against the formidable Indian side on August 2.
The 27-year-old scored a defiant 35-ball 24, aiding the Lankans in recovering from 142/6 to a competitive 230/8 in 50 overs. With the ball, Hasaranga delivered game-changing wickets, dismissing Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Kuldeep Yadav, finishing with outstanding figures of 3/58 in 10 overs.
Sri Lanka will now head into the second ODI of the three-match series at the same venue (Colombo) on August 4, without their star all-rounder. Hasaranga had also played the entire preceding three-match T20I series, which Sri Lanka lost by a 0-3 margin.
How Has Hasaranga’s Replacement, Jeffrey Vandersay, Fared in ODIs?
Jeffrey Vandersay, stepping in for Hasaranga, has previously played 22 ODIs for Sri Lanka. The 34-year-old has been reasonably impressive, taking 27 wickets at an average of 31.54 and an economy of 5.54 in those outings.
However, his lone game against India was forgettable. In the final ODI of a three-match series in early 2023, Vandersay was expensive, conceding 59 runs off his seven overs without taking a wicket.
Yet, Vandersay boasts a stellar ODI record in Sri Lankan conditions, with 16 wickets at an average of 19.37 and an economy of 4.83 in nine matches. Debuting for Sri Lanka in 2015, his latest international appearance came in the ODI series against Zimbabwe earlier this year. Vandersay has also played 14 T20Is and a Test match for the island nation.
As Sri Lanka navigates the rest of the ODI series without Hasaranga, much will depend on Vandersay’s ability to fill the void and deliver impactful performances against a strong Indian side.