Wanindu Hasaranga steps down as Sri Lanka captain ahead of home series against India
Wanindu Hasaranga has resigned from his post as Sri Lanka's T20I captain after six months in charge. The decision comes weeks prior to the scheduled home series against India.
Hasaranga led the nation in 10 matches, including the 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. His reign as skipper was far from memorable, with six wins and four losses. His stint included a couple of series wins over Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at home and a horror iCC event campaign in the Caribbean and the United States of America.
He failed to guide Sri Lanka into the Super 8 stages following losses to South Africa and Bangladesh in the group stage. A consolation win over the Netherlands is all the island nation could muster as their scheduled clash against Nepal was washed out.
“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,” Wanindu Hasaranga wrote in his resignation letter to SLC.
Sri Lanka Cricket has accepted the resignation, and confirmed that Hasaranga remains a key part of their plans moving forward.
The all-rounder is currently involved in the ongoing 2024 Lanka Premier League (LPL), representing and leading the Kandy Falcons. He has scored 90 runs and taken six wickets in six matches so far.
Sri Lanka yet to name squad for India series and their new T20I skipper after Hasaranga
Sri Lanka Cricket announced the itinerary for the home bilateral series against India. The tour, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, is scheduled to begin from July 26th. The three-match T20I series will take place entirely in Pallekele while the teams will shift to Colombo to play the ODI series.
Sri Lanka recently announced Sanath Jayasuriya as their interim head coach for the upcoming bilateral assignments following Chris Silverwood's resignation. Apart from a coach, the SLC now have the task of electing a new T20I captain as well.
Sri Lanka already have different captains for different formats, with Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva leading the ODI and the Test team, respectively.