Wanindu Hasaranga resigns as Sri Lanka T20I captain

In a shocking turn of events, Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga resigned from his position as captain of the T20I team, which he took up only six months back.  

Hasaranga announced his retirement just a week after the sub-par performance by Sri Lanka in the recently concluded World T20 League, where they failed to make it into the Super Eight stage. But the move was still something of a surprise, for there was little public clamour for Hasaranga's removal from captaincy.

The spinner elaborated that even as he is bitterly disappointed due to the early exit of his team from the mega event, he feels that the decision to step down is made in the best interest of Sri Lankan cricket. "Sri Lanka's exit before time in the World T20 League is highly disappointing to me as the captain and the team," he wrote. "I, however, do not wish to place excuses to condone our below-par performance."

He said that he would play to the best of his abilities as a player for Sri Lanka and always stand by his team.

During his stint, the island nation won six out of the 10 T20I games played, including the twin bilateral series victories against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan earlier this year. His tenure was, however, also marred due to a suspension for abusing an umpire during one of the matches.

Hasaranga's resignation also means the Sri Lankan cricket board has to name a new T20 captain. Charith Asalanka would be one of the front-runners for the position, having led the side in last week's two matches that Hasaranga had missed due to suspension.

This comes with other changes in the Sri Lankan coaching staff. Sanath Jayasuriya, as the new interim head coach, will take over from Chris Silverwood's post, who had resigned subsequent to the World T20 League. Mahela Jayawardene has also tendered his resignation as consultant coach.

The next T20I assignment for Sri Lanka will be the three-match series against India slated toward the end of this month. It will go into that with a new captain and a new interim head coach, seeking redemption from the disappointing World T20 League 2024.