After serving as Sri Lanka’s T20I captain for almost six months, Wanindu Hasaranga has resigned. In a statement released by the board, he stated that his choice was best for Sri Lankan cricket, although he did not give a justification for it.
According to the board, Hasaranga stated in his resignation letter that “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.”
Even if Sri Lanka didn’t make it to the Super Eight after a disappointing World Cup, Hasaranga’s resignation is nonetheless unexpected. He was still relatively new to the position, so there wasn’t much public pressure to remove him. Additionally, he gave priority to his responsibilities to Sri Lanka above his IPL outings this year while he healed from a foot ailment, suggesting that he was enjoying his work.
After winning bilateral series against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan to begin 2024, Sri Lanka won six of the ten Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) that they participated in under Hasaranga. During this time, he had also received a two-match suspension for assaulting an umpire.
In the current franchise competition, he continues to serve as captain of the Kandy Falcons Lanka Premier League squad.
Even if Charith Asalanka isn’t a clear choice to take his place as Sri Lanka’s T20I captain, his name will be brought up. In addition to leading Jaffna Kings in the LPL this season, he assumed control of the team during the two games in which Hasaranga was suspended.
The three-match series against India at the end of this month will be Sri Lanka’s next Twenty20 international assignment. Following Chris Silverwood’s resignation after the World Cup, Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s caretaker coach going into that series. Last month, Mahela Jayawardene also resigned from her role as consulting coach.