Wanindu Hasaranga steps down as Sri Lanka’s T20I captain

COLOMBO: Star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, on Thursday, decided to step down as Sri Lanka T20I captain following the team’s dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform the public that National Men’s T20I Captain Wanindu Hasaranga has decided to resign from the captaincy,” the Sri Lankan cricketing body said in a statement.

According to the cricketing body, Hasaranga said it is in the best interest of Sri Lanka Cricket that he decided to relinquish the captaincy duties and remain in the side as a player.

“Sri Lanka will always have my utmost best efforts as a player, and I will support and stand by my team and leadership as always,” said Hasaranga in his resignation letter.

For the unversed, the all-rounder was appointed as the T20I captain last year and only led the team in 10 matches.

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Hasaranga was given the leadership duty following his all-round and captaincy masterclass in the previous edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

He set the tournament ablaze, finishing as the leading wicket-taker and leading run-scorer and led Kandy to their maiden LPL title.

Wanindu Hasaranga is currently leading Kandy Falcons in the ongoing LPL 2024. His side, the defending champions, are currently at the bottom of the standings with just four points in six matches.

Sri Lanka, under Hasaranga’s captaincy, had a campaign to remember in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024 as the former champions could secure only one victory in the tournament.

The 2014 champions finished third in Group D of the mega event which saw eventual finalists South Africa and Bangladesh, advancing into the Super Eights stage.

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