Wanindu Hasaranga: Sri Lanka's Modern Leg-Spin All-Rounder
Wanindu Hasaranga emerged as one of cricket's finest T20 bowlers, topping the ICC T20I bowling rankings with his leg-spin and googly while also contributing vital lower-order runs for Sri Lanka.
Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva is Sri Lanka's most exciting cricketer of the 2020s — a right-arm leg-spin bowler and lower-order right-handed batter who became one of the world's premier T20 bowlers within a few years of his international debut. Born in Avissawella in 1997, Hasaranga made his international debut in 2017 and rapidly established himself as a match-winner. His leg-spin and googly — delivered at a pace slightly quicker than most wrist-spinners — made him extremely difficult to read in T20 cricket. He reached the number-one ranking in ICC T20I bowling in 2021 and held it for extended periods.
T20 World Cup Performances
Hasaranga was Sri Lanka's most important bowler in the 2021 and 2022 ICC T20 World Cups. In the 2022 World Cup, despite Sri Lanka not progressing beyond the Super 12 stage, Hasaranga's bowling was consistently dangerous. He was the leading wicket-taker in both the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, establishing himself as the format's most lethal spinner. His ability to take wickets in the middle overs — when batters are trying to accelerate — has been his defining contribution to Sri Lanka's T20 setup.
IPL Career and Global Impact
Hasaranga's performances for Sri Lanka attracted IPL franchise attention — he was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore for significant sums and became one of the most impactful overseas bowlers in the competition. His IPL success further cemented his reputation as one of the world's finest T20 bowlers. He was a fixture in franchise leagues worldwide and represented Sri Lanka's successful integration of a young match-winner who could perform consistently on the biggest stages.
Frequently asked questions
What type of bowler is Wanindu Hasaranga?
Hasaranga is a right-arm leg-spin and googly bowler who delivers the ball at a slightly quicker pace than most wrist-spinners. His ability to disguise his googly makes him extremely difficult to read in T20 cricket.
What ICC T20 World Cup achievements has Hasaranga had?
Hasaranga was the leading wicket-taker in both the 2021 and 2022 ICC T20 World Cups — the first bowler to top the wicket charts in back-to-back T20 World Cups.
What is Hasaranga's IPL record?
Hasaranga has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and has been one of the most effective overseas spinners in the competition, taking wickets consistently and confirming his T20 pedigree across leagues.