Another injury blow rules star spinner out against India

Sri Lanka confirmed the exit of former T20I captain and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga from the remainder of the ODI series after suffering an injury to his left hamstring. Hasaranga experienced pain in his left hamstring while delivering the last ball of his 10th over during the first ODI.

Following this, an MRI performed on the spinner confirmed the injury. Sri Lanka have named the 34-year-old Jeffrey Vandersay as his replacement who was previously confirmed as a standby after multiple injury blows.

Vandersay has appeared in 22 ODIs, picking 27 wickets with an average of 31.44. He has faced India only once in the format and went wicketless against them.

Hasaranga played an important role in Sri Lanka's fightback to a tie against India in the first ODI of the three-match series. While batting, he made a crucial contribution of 24, including hitting two sixes and a four. During his bowling, he picked up the big wickets of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Kuldeep Yadav to finish with 3/58.

The major setback comes after a series of shocking injury-related omissions to the squad. Previously, Dushmantha Chameera was ruled out due to bronchitis and respiratory infection, followed by Nuwan Thushara, who broke his thumb and was forced out of the complete tour.

Then, Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka were confirmed to miss the ODIs. Pathirana jarred his right shoulder while diving to take a catch in the third game and Madushanka who was called up as a replacement was ruled out due to a Grade 2 hamstring injury he suffered during fielding practice. Hasaranga makes the fifth player to miss due to injury.

Sri Lanka will take on India in the second ODI today, August 4, on Sunday in Colombo.