Sri Lanka faces a significant setback as spin-bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the remainder of the ODI series against India due to a left hamstring injury. Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay has been named as his replacement for the final two ODIs.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed Hasaranga’s injury, noting that he felt pain while bowling the last ball of his spell in the first ODI.
“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,” read SLC’s media release on August 3.
Hasaranga played a crucial role in helping Sri Lanka achieve a tie against India in the series opener on August 2.
The 27-year-old showcased his all-round skills by scoring a defiant 35-ball 24, helping Sri Lanka recover from 142/6 to a competitive 230/8 in 50 overs. With the ball, he delivered game-changing performances, taking the key wickets of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul before dismissing Kuldeep Yadav. He finished with impressive figures of 3/58 in 10 overs.
Jeffrey Vandersay: Hasaranga’s Replacement
Jeffrey Vandersay, the leg-spinner replacing Hasaranga, has previously played 22 ODIs for Sri Lanka. The 34-year-old has taken 27 wickets at an average of 31.54 and an economy rate of 5.54. However, his lone game against India was less than stellar, conceding 59 runs off seven overs without taking a wicket in early 2023.
Despite this, Vandersay boasts a strong ODI record in Sri Lankan conditions, with 16 wickets at an average of 19.37 and an economy of 4.83 in nine matches. He made his international debut for Sri Lanka in 2015 and last played in the ODI series against Zimbabwe earlier this year. Vandersay has also featured in 14 T20Is and one Test match for Sri Lanka.
The second ODI of the three-match series against India will take place in Colombo on August 4.
Sri Lanka hopes Vandersay can step up in Hasaranga’s absence and contribute significantly in the crucial upcoming matches.