Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of New Zealand ODIs due to a hamstring injury; Dushan Hemantha called in as replacement
Sri Lanka's star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand due to a left hamstring injury. The 27-year-old picked up the injury while bowling in the second T20I on Sunday, November 10.
Hasaranga delivered a stellar performance in the match, taking four wickets for just 17 runs. However, Sri Lanka fell short by five runs in their chase of 109 as the series ended in a 1-1 tie.
According to an official update from the Sri Lankan team, Hasaranga has returned to Colombo and begun rehabilitation at the High Performance Center.
In his absence, Dushan Hemantha has been named as his replacement. The 30-year-old has represented Sri Lanka in five ODIs, taking two wickets, with his latest appearance coming against India in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
The three-match ODI series will begin on Wednesday, November 13, in Dambulla, with the second and third matches scheduled for November 17 and 19 in Pallekele, respectively.
Sri Lanka’s 17-member squad for the series against New Zealand: Charith Asalanka (c), Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, and Mohamed Shiraz.
Sri Lanka has won their last two home ODI series
Sri Lanka have been in fine form in ODIs, having won their last two series. In August, they defeated India 2-0 in a three-match series, with one game ending in a tie. Sri Lanka successfully defended 240 runs in the second match, winning it by 32 runs. The hosts then dominated the final ODI, securing a 110-run victory while defending a total of 248.
Last month, Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies in a three-match ODI series. They won the first two games by five wickets before losing the dead rubber by eight wickets. The hosts will aim for a hat-trick of series wins when they face New Zealand.