Sri Lanka Face Big Setback as Wanindu Hasaranga Battles Injury Ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Sri Lanka’s preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup have been dealt a heavy blow as their key all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga continues to battle fitness issues. The 28-year-old cricketer, known for his game-changing skills with both bat and ball, is racing against time to recover from a hamstring injury. His condition has become a major concern for Sri Lanka’s selectors and fans, who were hoping to see him play a central role in the tournament.

Hasaranga picked up the injury during the T20I series against Bangladesh in July and has not returned to competitive cricket since then. Despite undergoing rehabilitation, reports suggest that he has not yet reached the fitness levels required for international play. This uncertainty puts Sri Lanka in a very difficult position as the Asia Cup draws near. For a team that relies heavily on his all-round abilities, missing him would be nothing short of a setback.

The most recent indication of his slow recovery came when he was left out of Sri Lanka’s squads for the Zimbabwe tour. He was already missing from the two-match ODI series that begins on August 29 in Harare, and now he has also been excluded from the 17-member T20I squad for the three-match series starting September 3. These omissions clearly show that the medical team is not willing to take risks with his fitness, but they also raise doubts about whether he will be ready in time for the Asia Cup.

Hasaranga’s absence would create a huge gap in the Sri Lankan side. Over the past few years, his accurate leg-spin bowling in the middle overs has been a key factor in Sri Lanka’s victories. He not only picks up crucial wickets but also controls the flow of runs, something that makes him one of the best in the business. On top of that, his quick runs in the lower order often provide the finishing touch that turns close matches in Sri Lanka’s favor. Losing him means the team would lack both stability and balance.

At the moment, Sri Lanka is the only major team yet to confirm its Asia Cup squad. Other countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, have already finalized their teams. This delay reflects the uncertainty surrounding Hasaranga’s fitness and highlights how important he is to the team’s plans.

Across Asia, cricket fans and rivals alike are keeping a close watch on the situation. Teams like India and Pakistan are well aware that a fully fit Hasaranga could change the course of the competition. For Sri Lanka, having him in the playing XI might be the difference between mounting a strong challenge for the title or struggling against stronger opponents.

With the Asia Cup just around the corner, time is running out. Unless Hasaranga makes a quick and complete recovery, Sri Lanka may have to step into the tournament without their most versatile match-winner—a scenario that could seriously dent their chances of lifting a seventh Asia Cup trophy.

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