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Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is set to miss the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 in India after worsening his Grade 3 hamstring tear over the past few days. Hasaranga also missed the recent Asia Cup hosted in Sri Lanka and Pakistan after picking up a thigh strain in the playoffs of the Lanka Premier League 2023.
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Similarly, fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera and spinner Maheesh Theekshana are also returning from injury. But there is hope of the duo playing a limited role in the World Cup. Coming back to Hasaranga, the chair of SLC's medical committee, Arjuna de Silva, revealed that Hasaranga may not be ready for much of the World Cup's duration.
While speaking to ESPNcricinfom Silva stated, "Medically it seems unlikely that Wanindu will be fit." But despite these issues, the Sri Lankan selectors may still pick him for the World Cup by hoping he gets ready towards the end of the round-robin stage. However, the medical experts consider this move to be a significant risk.
Talking about Chameera, the fast bowler is recovering from a pectoral injury and has been bowling in the nets and building his workload. Whereas, Theekshana injured his hamstring against Pakistan in the Asia Cup and is currently in rehab. In a positive update for the Lankans, fast bowlers Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara, who also missed the Asia Cup through injury, have returned to full fitness as per Silva.
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The Lankans will start their World Cup 2023 campaign against South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium on October 7. Before the start of the official tournament, the Lankans will play Bangladesh in a warm-up match on September 29 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.