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Wanindu Hasaranga marks his return from a hamstring injury he suffered against the same opponent in November 2024.
Wanindu Hasaranga. (Picture Credit: AP)
Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was named in Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, which starts on January 5 in Wellington.
He last played international cricket in November when he picked up an injury to his left hamstring while bowling in the second T20I against the Kiwis in Dambulla. The leggie was seen hobbling through his overs and limping between the wickets while running. He missed the ensuing ODI series against the same opponent, which Sri Lanka won 2-0.
Four players from that rubber have now been dropped from the traveling team — Dushan Hemantha, Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dishan Madushanka. Hemantha was Hasaranga’s replacement for that series while Perera was picked in an ODI for the first time since the 2023 World Cup. The latter didn’t get a game either.
Apart from Hasaranga, another notable inclusion was that of Eshan Malinga, the 23-year-old uncapped pacer from Ratnapura. SunRisers Hyderabad signed him in the IPL 2025 auction for Rs. 1.2 crore. Nuwanidu Fernando, the batter who made his debut against India last year, and in-form pacer Lahiru Kumara also make a return to the squad.
Malinga would be one to watch out for in the series. He has 20 wickets from 12 matches in his List-A career at an average of 25.15. He also has 39 and 13 scalps in 16 First-Class and 13 T20 matches respectively. New Zealand conditions should support his right-arm pace.
Sri Lanka squad for ODI series: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand revealed their ODI squad, too, led by spin all-rounder Mitchell Santner.
New Zealand ODI squad for home series against Sri Lanka: Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Will Young.
The three ODIs will take place on January 5, 8, and 11 in Wellington, Hamilton, and Auckland, respectively. Both sides will hope to kick off the year strongly and build well towards the 2025 Champions Trophy.
