In a significant turn of events for Sri Lankan cricket, T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga stepped down from his leadership role on Thursday, July 11. Despite the Sri Lankan team’s failure to advance to the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with only one victory in four matches last month, Hasaranga’s departure came as a shock to fans.
“Sri Lanka will always receive my utmost effort as a player, and I will continue to support and stand by my team and its leadership,” Hasaranga stated in an official release by SLC.
The 26-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder assumed captaincy from Dasun Shanaka last year and led Sri Lanka in ten T20I matches. During Hasaranga’s brief stint as captain, Sri Lanka secured six wins and suffered four losses before he tendered his resignation.
“Sri Lanka Cricket would like to inform the public that National Men’s T20I Captain Wanindu Hasaranga has chosen to step down from the captaincy,” read the SLC announcement. “Hasaranga believes it is in the best interest of Sri Lanka Cricket to step aside as captain and continue as a player. While accepting his resignation, Sri Lanka Cricket affirms that Hasaranga will continue to be a key player in our international cricket endeavours.”
Under Hasaranga’s leadership, the Sri Lankan team clinched a bilateral series against Afghanistan and Bangladesh but did not perform as expected in the recent T20 World Cup 2024. Sri Lanka secured only one win in four Group D matches, ranking below South Africa and Bangladesh.
Hasaranga surpassed Lasith Malinga’s record to become Sri Lanka’s top wicket-taker in T20Is with 110 wickets in 66 matches during the World Cup held in the USA and West Indies last month. Sri Lanka is preparing to host India for a six-match white-ball series commencing on July 26, with the announcement of the squad and new T20I captain still pending.
Also Read:Â Hardik Pandya likely to captain India in T20I series vs SL
