Wanindu Hasaranga, the talented leg-spinner, won’t be part of IPL 2024 as he’s sidelined due to injury. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has informed the BCCI of his unavailability for this season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The 26-year-old spinner needs rehabilitation for his left ankle, rendering him unfit for the league.
According to sources, SLC communicated Hasaranga’s situation to the BCCI, citing the need for rest and recovery based on expert advice from Dubai, where he sought medical consultation.
“I believe so,” confirmed the player’s manager, Shyam, to Cricbuzz. “Sri Lanka Cricket has written to the BCCI informing them about his unavailability. He went to Dubai for medical advice and stayed there for three days. Given the current situation, the expert’s advice is that he should rest rather than participate in the IPL this season.”
This development contradicts earlier statements indicating Hasaranga’s participation. His withdrawal sparks discussions about foreign players pulling out post-auction for various reasons. Interestingly, SLC initially included him in the Test series against Bangladesh, coinciding with the IPL’s commencement on March 22.
Had Hasaranga not returned to cricket and been picked for the Test series, he would have faced ICC disciplinary action, rendering him unavailable for the T20 World Cup’s initial matches in June.
Amid speculations about IPL auction dynamics, Hasaranga’s plummeting auction value from INR 10.75 crores to the base price of INR 1.5 crores raises eyebrows. His manager refutes any correlation between his withdrawal and auction prices.
This development leaves SRH in search of a replacement spinner, highlighting the uncertainties surrounding IPL squad compositions and player availability.
