Wanindu Hasaranga Makes Comeback to Sri Lanka's ODI Squad for New Zealand Tour
Sri Lanka’s star leg-spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, is set to return to the ODI squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, where the teams will play three ODIs and three T20Is. Hasaranga missed Sri Lanka’s last ODI series against New Zealand in November due to a hamstring injury but is now fit and ready for action.
Alongside Hasaranga, Sri Lanka has made a few changes to their squad. Dunith Wellalage, who lost his spot in the T20I squad for this tour, has retained his place in the 50-over format. Meanwhile, four players from the previous ODI series against New Zealand – Dushan Hemantha, Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Dishan Madushanka – have been dropped. Perera had made a return to the ODI squad in November but didn't get a game.
The Sri Lankan squad sees the inclusion of Nuwanidu Fernando, a promising batter who made his debut against India in 2023, and Lahiru Kumara, the fast bowler, who last played an ODI in March 2023 against Bangladesh. The team has also added Eshan Malinga, an uncapped medium-pacer, to the mix.
Sri Lanka's ODI Squad for New Zealand Tour:
- Charith Asalanka (captain)
- 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
The tour kicks off with the T20I series on December 28, followed by three ODIs on January 5, 8, and 11.
