Hasaranga, Chameera cleared for IPL

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has issued No Objection Certificates (NOC) to all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) later this month. 

Both players were drafted as replacement international players by the Royal Challengers Bangalore after two of the franchise’s overseas stars, Adam Zampa and Daniel Sams pulled out for the remainder of the IPL season. 
“The permission for the players was granted by the SLC in consultation with the Technical Advisory Committee. The ‘No Objection Certificate’ to the duo was issued for them to join the IPL teams starting from 15th September (following the completion of the South Africa Tour of Sri Lanka),” SLC said in a media release.
They will rejoin the national squad on October 10 a week before Sri Lanka begins their T20 World Cup campaign against Namibia. 

The 2021 edition of the IPL, which began in April, was postponed midway through the group stage when several players tested positive for Covid-19. 

The tournament was also moved to the United Arab Emirates, considering the monsoon season in India in September and October. 

Hasaranga and Chameera have been two standout players for Sri Lanka over the last few months, with Hasaranga rising to number two on the ICC’s ranking for bowlers in T20Is. 

With a strike-rate of 12.3 and an economy rate of 5.22 run per over, 2021 has been a breakout year for the leg-spinner, with 17 wickets in nine games. 

Hasaranga’s contributions with the bat have been particularly evident in ODI cricket, leading all run scorers this year with 344 runs in 11 matches, inclusive of three half-centuries.

Chameera, who has been plagued by injuries in the past, is enjoying possibly his best run in international cricket, taking wickets in the double digits in white ball cricket, with 14 of those wickets coming in T20Is. 

Meanwhie, The series will feature no neutral umpires with five Sri Lankan officials – Kumar Dharmasena, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Raveendra Wimalasiri, Lyndon Hannibal and Prageeth Rambukwella – assigned, along with Ranjan Madugalle the only match referee. 

(SMD)