Wanindu Hasaranga is living a charmed life in the ongoing Lanka Premier League. He has picked five wickets from three games in the tournament so far. The mystery spinner is the most wanted Sri Lankan cricketer in recent times. He delivered a performance to remember in the T20I series against India earlier this year.

That gave Wanindu Hasaranga a deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. He played alongside the best of players in the tournament. He played alongside Virat Kohli as well.

“I would love to get my favourite cricketer Virat Kohli’s wicket someday. I also want to pick Babar Azam and Glenn Maxwell’s wickets as well,” Hasaranga said when asked to name the players who he wishes to dismiss in his career.

When asked about his rise in international cricket in recent times, Hasaranga said that he is always looking for wickets when he bowls and trying to emulate Lankan greats Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath.

“When I am bowling, I always try to take wickets. When I am in the national team, I always try to do my best for the team. That’s why I am successful,” he said.

The mystery spinner took 16 wickets in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and finished as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament despite Sri Lanka not reaching past the group stages.

I am Always Motivated To Perform: Wanindu Hasaranga

Hasaranga further said that he does not feel the pressure when compared with the Lankan greats by the media.

“I am always motivated to perform. I don’t feel any pressure. I don’t want to be the next Muralitharan or the next Herath. I want to be the first Hasaranga,” he said.

The 24-year-old bowler went on to credit the Lanka Premier League for the rise of Sri Lanka Cricket in the past few years.

“Last time, we saw a lot of youngsters doing a good job in Lanka Premier League. In this kind of tournament, we always get a lot of good players. That is why Sri Lanka Cricket is better than the last few years. These kinds of tournaments are always good for the growth of the sport in a nation,” Hasaranga signed off.

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