Hasaranga steps down as captain following T20WC disappointment

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that Wanindu Hasaranga, who was named the side’s T20I skipper at the start of the year, has stepped down as captain less than seven months into his tenure.

The news comes on the back of a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign for Sri Lanka, who failed to make it to the Super 8s after winning just a solitary match. The Lankans, led by Hasaranga, got knocked out of the group stages following a hammering at the hands of South Africa and a close defeat to arch-rivals Bangladesh.

“Sri Lanka cricket wishes to inform the public that National Men’s T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga has decided to resign from captaincy,” SLC said in a statement.

“Hasaranga said it is in the best interest of Sri Lanka cricket that he decided to relinquish the captaincy duties and remain in the side as a player.”

Hasaranga, meanwhile, in a statement, said: “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.”

The 26-year-old, who took over from Dasun Shanaka as T20I skipper at the start of the year, led Sri Lanka to bilateral series wins over Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. 

But a disappointing T20WC campaign has seen the legspinner quit captaincy after just 10 games. 

Sri Lanka are yet to name Hasaranga’s successor. 

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