SLC has stated that Wanindu Hasaranga had expressed his intention to return to Test cricket to the board well before his ICC suspension. This clarification dismisses any suggestion that his Test return was a deliberate tactic to ensure his availability for the entire duration of the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.
Hasaranga, the T20I captain, received a suspension from international cricket after being found guilty of breaching article 2.8 of the player’s code of conduct. This violation occurred when he showed dissent against the umpire’s decision during the third and final ODI against Bangladesh in Chattogram.
He recently faced a similar charge during the series against Afghanistan when he expressed dissatisfaction with the umpire’s decision regarding a no ball. He even hinted that he should pursue a different profession.
His on-field actions resulted in his demerit points being increased to eight, triggering a suspension according to the rulebooks. This suspension entails missing either two Tests, four ODIs, or four T20Is, depending on the sequence of matches. As Hasaranga was included in the Test squad, he will serve his suspension during the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh.
If not for this inclusion, he would have been sidelined for a significant portion of the group stage matches in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States of America. Ajantha Mendis, a member of Sri Lanka’s selection committee, clarified the situation.
“It was about two weeks ago that he told us he was open to playing Tests again. We know how it looks, but this decision was taken well before the final ODI,” he told ESPN Cricinfo.
Hasaranga’s comeback to Test cricket was indeed unexpected, considering he had announced his retirement from the format just a few months earlier to concentrate on limited-overs cricket.
Wanindu Hasaranga will be ready to participate in IPL 2024 for SRH right from the beginning
Another significant outcome of Hasaranga’s suspension is that he will now be able to participate in the upcoming 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) right from the beginning.
Initially, he was expected to miss the initial matches for his new franchise due to his commitment to the Sri Lankan Test team. However, with his ineligibility to play those matches, he is now free to compete in the entire IPL season.
Hasaranga, the Sri Lankan spinner, was one of the steals of the 2024 IPL mini-auction, as the Orange Army acquired him for his base price of INR 1.50 crore. He had previously represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the competition for the past few seasons.
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