26-yr-old Hasaranga retires from Test cricket; wants to extend limited overs career

SRI LANKAN INTERNATIONAL bowler Wanindu Hasaranga has retired from Test cricket at the age of just 26, surprising cricket fans around the world.

The young player has represented his country in 4 Test matches, the last of which took place in 2021. He has never shown much interest in the longest format; and has been a lot more successful in limited overs cricket.

So in a way it comes as no surprise that he has announced his retirement is aimed at strengthening and prolonging his T20 and 50 over career.

Hasaranga has played 44 ODIs for Sri Lanka and his performance has been much more attractice; with a much better bowling average and several high wicket taking performances. He is particularly lethal in the T20 format; where he has the best bowling average, and the most effective spells.

It's no wonder that he is a sought after player in India's IPL (Royal Challenger Bangalore), Sri Lanka's LPL (B-Love Kandy), UAE's ILT20 (Desert Vipers) and USA's MLC (Washington Freedom).

His decision falls in line with several other players who are consciously leaving Test cricket, or even international cricket, to focus on maximising their chances to play in lucrative T20 leagues around the world.

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