Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the upcoming T20I series vs India after testing positive for COVID19. On the tour of Australia, Hasaranga was the third member in the touring party to test positive for Covid-19 after Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando.
Hasaranga Tests COVID19 Positive
Earlier Wanindu Hasaranga had tested positive for COVID19 midway during the Australia series and he had to miss the last few T20Is.
“Wanindu Hasaranga, who was in isolation after contracting Covid-19, has once again, returned a positive result when a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) was conducted on the player yesterday (22nd February). A PCR test too confirmed the result,” said a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
Hasaranga was last seen in action in the first two T20Is against Australia, taking 3/38 and 2/33 with the ball while making 13 with the bat in both matches before testing positive for Covid-19.
“He was first found to be positive during a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted on the 15th February 2022. The player was transferred to Melbourne from Canberra and will remain in isolation until he returns a negative PCR Test Report,” further said the statement.
Hasaranga had also been picked by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction for a whopping INR 10.75 crores and had played two matches for the franchise in the 2021 season in the UAE.
Hasaranga had made an impression with his leg-spin when a second-string Indian side, led by Shikhar Dhawan, went to Sri Lanka in July 2021 for a white-ball series. He had scalped seven wickets, including figures of 4/9, to be the top wicket-taker in the three T20Is.
Hasaranga took a hat-trick in the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup against South Africa, which went in vain. He was also the highest wicket-taker of the competition with 16 wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 5.20.
Sri Lanka suffered a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Australia and the side was let down by batting time and again. Skipper Dasun Shanaka would hope that the batting side gets its act together and is able to give a fight to Team India.
Sri Lanka squad
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ashian Daniel (subject to ministerial approval).
