Sri Lanka will be without their key all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga as they announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, scheduled to commence 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.
The chairman of Sri Lanka’s medical committee, Arjuna de Silva, had earlier hinted that it is highly unlikely for Wanindu 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.
Besides Hasaranga, right-arm pacer Dushmantha Chameera has also been ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 as he failed to recover from his shoulder injury.
On the contrary, Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara are back in the Sri Lanka squad after missing the Asia Cup 2023.
Whereas, another key Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who missed the Asia Cup final against India, has also been named in the squad.
Sri Lanka Squad for ICC World Cup 2023: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
Travelling reserve: Chamika Karunaratne