As we celebrate his 27 birthday today, let us recall the lesser-known fact about the birthday boy
Pinnaduwage Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, born on July 29, 1997, has made a name for himself as a prominent Sri Lankan cricketer and the current captain of the T20I team. Known for his prowess as a bowling all-rounder, Hasaranga specialises in right-arm googly deliveries, preferring them over traditional leg breaks. His ability to bowl accurate and deceptive googlies, with occasional leg-spin variations, has set him apart. Hasaranga's rise since his international debut in July 2017 has been remarkable, establishing him as a key figure in Sri Lanka's white-ball cricket squad. As we celebrate his 27 birthday today, let us recall the lesser-known fact about the birthday boy.
Wanindu Hasaranga in a practice session
At just 16 years old, Wanindu Hasaranga began his cricketing journey as a frontline seam bowler, even opening the bowling for Richmond College's cricket team. However, his career took a pivotal turn after his coach, Lanka de Silva, introduced him to leg-spin bowling. Inspired by de Silva's demonstration of leg-spin techniques, Hasaranga decided to transition from seam bowling to leg-spin.
Hasaranga, a reliable lower middle-order batsman, holds the record for a Sri Lankan batter's highest score in an innings while batting at number 8. In March 2021, Hasaranga scored an unbeaten 80 runs against the West Indies to set this record. His impressive innings were highlighted by seven fours and three sixes, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly with the bat under pressure.
At just 19 years old, Hasaranga made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka, marking the beginning of his international career with a remarkable performance. In his first ODI match, he achieved a rare feat by taking a hat-trick, dismantling the tail-end of the Zimbabwe cricket team. Hasaranga claimed wickets with his 14th, 15th, and 16th deliveries, pivotal in securing an easy victory for Sri Lanka. This stunning debut set the stage for Hasaranga's rise as a key player in Sri Lankan cricket.
Wanindu Hasaranga appealing for a wicket
In addition to his exceptional leg-spin bowling, Hasaranga is a formidable lower-order batsman. His batting talent shone through during the 2018–19 Premier League Tournament, where he played for Colombo Cricket Club. At 24 years old, Hasaranga distinguished himself as the leading run-scorer for the club, accumulating an impressive 765 runs. This achievement underscores his ability to make valuable contributions with the bat, complementing his prowess as a bowler.
Hasaranga reached a career milestone by achieving 720 rating points, making him the second-ranked T20I bowler. The 24-year-old attained this remarkable feat during a three-match T20I series against India, where he consistently excelled as Sri Lanka's top performer. His stellar performances throughout the series highlighted his status as one of the premier bowlers in T20 cricket.
On his birthday, Wanindu Hasaranga delivered a spell for the ages, guiding Sri Lanka to restrict India to just 81/8—their lowest T20I total against Sri Lanka. His remarkable figures of 4-0-9-4 set several records and showcased his exceptional bowling skills.
Hasaranga's performance not only stands as the best bowling figure for a player on their birthday in T20Is in 2021 but also represents the most economical spell against India in T20I history. He became the first cricketer to bowl four overs for fewer than ten runs against India in a T20I match. Despite a missed opportunity for a fifth wicket due to a non-reviewed LBW call, Hasaranga's outstanding bowling effort remains a standout achievement in T20I cricket.
