Wanindu Hasaranga — Sri Lanka's Leg-Spin All-Format Star
Wanindu Hasaranga's cricket career: his leg-spin bowling, batting contributions, ICC rankings, IPL success, and why he became Sri Lanka's most important T20 player.
Wanindu Hasaranga is Sri Lanka's most prized white-ball cricketer — a right-arm leg-spin bowler who is also capable of batting in the lower-middle order. He reached No.1 in the ICC T20I bowling rankings in 2022 and remained at or near the top position for extended periods, making him arguably the world's best T20 bowler during that era.
Bowling Arsenal
Hasaranga's leg-spin arsenal includes the standard leg break, googly, flipper, and a faster delivery that skids on. What makes him particularly dangerous in T20 cricket is his ability to vary pace within the same over — batters set for a leg break receive a slower googly or a ripping flipper that beats them through the gate. He consistently bowls in the 85–90 km/h range, rarely giving batters pace to work with.
ICC T20I Wicket Record
Hasaranga became one of the fastest to reach 50, 75, and 100 wickets in T20I cricket. His strike rate in T20Is — the number of deliveries per wicket — is among the best in history for any bowler with 50+ wickets. This consistency means he is not just a wicket-taker in one or two big matches; he takes wickets systematically across series and tournaments.
IPL Success with RCB
Hasaranga joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL for INR 10.75 crore (2022 mega-auction) and became one of the tournament's most effective bowlers, taking 26 wickets in the 2022 season. His IPL performances raised his global profile considerably and sparked interest from every franchise cricket team worldwide. He has since been a sought-after signing in leagues from the Caribbean Premier League to The Hundred.
2022 Asia Cup and T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka won the 2022 Asia Cup — their first major ICC-affiliated tournament title since 2014 — and Hasaranga was the decisive player. He took wickets in every knockout game, including a match-winning spell in the final against Pakistan. At the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Hasaranga was again Sri Lanka's standout bowler in the Super 12 stage before their campaign ended in the semi-finals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hasaranga as good in Tests as in T20Is?
Hasaranga plays all formats but is primarily a white-ball specialist. He has played Test cricket but his impact there is less pronounced — leg-spin in Test conditions requires patience and variation that suits longer formats differently.
What is Hasaranga's best T20I bowling figure?
Hasaranga has taken 4 wickets in a single T20I innings on multiple occasions. His hat-trick vs South Africa (2021) stands as his single most memorable T20I bowling moment.
Why is leg-spin so effective in T20 cricket?
Leg-spin is effective in T20s because it generates drift in the air and significant turn off the pitch — batters set up to play straight and across the line can be deceived by the turn. The googly (which turns the other way) creates additional uncertainty. Wrist-spinners like Hasaranga who can bowl multiple variations are particularly dangerous.