Wanindu Hasaranga, the talented Sri Lankan cricketer, has been dealt a major blow by the International Cricket Council (ICC). In a surprising turn of events, Hasaranga has been banned from participating in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh due to his actions during a recent T20 match.
Hasaranga’s Ban
Hasaranga, who had recently rescinded his retirement from Test cricket and rejoined the national team, found himself in hot water after expressing his dissatisfaction with an umpire’s decision during the third ODI against Bangladesh. The ICC cited his actions as a breach of Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with dissenting from umpires’ decisions.
Incident
During the 37th over of the match, Hasaranga’s frustration boiled over, leading him to snatch his cap from the umpire and mock the officiating. Bangladesh ultimately won the match, securing the series 2-1. As a consequence of his actions, the 26-year-old cricketer received a 50% fine and three demerit points.
Demerit Points
This isn’t the first time Hasaranga has found himself in trouble with the ICC. Previously, he had received three demerit points during a T20 match against Afghanistan. With the addition of the recent demerit points, Hasaranga’s total crossed the threshold of eight demerit points, resulting in a suspension as per Article 7.6 of the Code.
Implications
Due to the suspension, Hasaranga will miss out on participating in the two ICC World Test Championship Tests against Bangladesh, as well as any subsequent ODIs or T20 matches. This could potentially impact his availability for upcoming events such as the T20 World Cup, slated to be held in the West Indies and America.
Impact on IPL
While Hasaranga’s suspension is a setback for Sri Lanka, it will not affect his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Although he will miss the initial matches, he remains eligible to represent his IPL team, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in the tournament. SRH’s upcoming matches, as per the IPL schedule, include fixtures against Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans.
Conclusion
Wanindu Hasaranga’s ban comes as disappointing news for cricket fans, especially those supporting Sri Lanka and Sunrisers Hyderabad. As Hasaranga reflects on his actions and serves his suspension, his absence will be felt in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, IPL enthusiasts can still look forward to seeing him in action once he becomes eligible to play.
