Sri Lankan star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera are likely to miss the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in India, commencing on October 5.
Wanindu Hasaranga suffered a hamstring injury during the Eliminator game between B-Love Kandy and Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) last month.
He was then ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023, and now may require surgery, after aggravating his hamstring tear during rehab over the past few days.
The chairman of Sri Lanka’s medical committee, Arjuna de Silva, hinted that it is highly unlikely for Hasaranga to participate in the ICC World Cup 2023.
“He picked up a grade 2 tear in the LPL, but he re-aggravated it during rehab. It’s now a grade 3 tear. What also complicates the matter is that it is also a T-junction hamstring injury,” said Arjuna de Silva.
“We are consulting foreign doctors to see whether he needs surgery or not. If he does, he will be out for at least three months. At the moment, the situation is not that great and it’s highly unlikely if he can play the World Cup,” he further added.
Meanwhile, Dushmantha Chameera is still currently undergoing rehabilitation for his pectoral muscle injury, even though, he has started to bowl in the nets but is unable to bowl without discomfort.
“Chameera is bowling at the moment but still complains of pain. We have consulted a doctor in the United Kingdom to see how best we could treat him,” Arjuna de Silva said.
Chameera suffered an injury during the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament, before getting injured against in the LPL, where he was representing Hasaranga-led B-Love Kandy. Subsequently, he was ruled out of the remaining matches of LPL as well as Asia Cup 2023.
However, spin bowler Maheesh Theekshana, who suffered a hamstring injury during Asia Cup 2023 and missed the final against India, is currently undergoing rehab and is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup 2023.
Sri Lanka is set to depart for India on September 26 to participate in the World Cup, however, they are yet to announce their squad.
READ: Pakistan Women’s team lost to Sri Lanka in Asian Games 2023 semi-finals