IPL 2024: Wanindu Hasaranga’s return to Sri Lanka’s Test squad puts doubt on his first phase participation

Wanindu Hasaranga. (Photo Source: SL Cricket)

Sri Lanka Cricket announced the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh on Monday, March 18. The team will be led by Dhananjaya De Silva with Kusal Mendis as his deputy. However, the most notable inclusion in the team is of the wrist spinner Wanindu Hasaranga who’s come out of his Test retirement.

The 29-year-old last played a Test against Bangladesh in April 2021 and announced his retirement from the format in August 2023 to prolong his white-ball career. In his short career of just four Test matches, Hasaranga has picked just four wickets from four matches.

Hasaranga’s Test recall puts doubt on his participation in the first three matches of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2024. Notably, SRH bought the services of the all-rounder at his base price of INR 1.5 Crore. The Pat Cummins-led side will be playing their first three games on March 23, 27 and 31 respectively.

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The two-match series against Bangladesh will begin from Friday, March 22 with the opening game to be played at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet.  Hence, with the second Test of the series beginning from March 30, the wrist spinner is likely to miss the first three matches for SRH.

The fourth and last game of SRH in the first phase of the competition will be played on Friday, April 05 against Chennai Super Kings which gives Hasaranga just two days to join the squad provided the second Test lasts five days.

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Asitha Fernando misses out from squad

Meanwhile, apart from him, Sri Lanka have also included off-spinner Nishan Peiris in the squad. The 26-year-old has scalped 153 wickets from 37 matches in his first-class career at an average of 24.79. On the other hand, seamer Asitha Fernando failed to find a place in the team.

Sri Lanka Test squad: Dhananjaya De Silva (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Nishan Peiris, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Chamika Gunasekara