The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday (January 23) released the Men’s T20I Team of the Year 2022 and the Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2022, which both include one Sri Lankan player each.
The ICC opened the 2022 awards announcement week by revealing the T20I Team of the Year in both women’s and men’s categories.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been included in the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year while Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera is part of the Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2022.
“Wanindu Hasaranga continued to be Sri Lanka’s talisman in a year where they reigned supreme as the champions of the Asia Cup. He picked up nine crucial wickets in six games at the Asia Cup but at the same time, showed that he can do the damage with the bat, stroking a brilliant 27-ball 37 in the final against Pakistan to rescue his side,” the ICC said.
“The wrist-spinner weaved his magic at the T20 World Cup as well, picking up 15 wickets in eight games,” it added.
On Inoka Ranaweera’s inclusion in the team, the ICC said: “Sri Lanka’s left-arm orthodox spinner Inoka Ranaweera had a spectacular year with the ball, finishing with 27 wickets in 19 T20Is, while averaging 13.85 with the ball and conceding runs at an economy rate of 5.75.”
“She took three or more wickets in four of the 19 T20Is she played in the year with a best of 4/7 coming against Bangladesh in the Sylhet in the Women’s Asia Cup. Her effort led Sri Lanka to a three-run victory over Bangladesh in the game.”
The 16-member squad has been selected by the Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee for the first two games of the ODI series vs. Afghanistan.
The three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will commence on June 02, 2023, at the MRICS in Hambantota.
Former captain Dimuth Karunaratne has been recalled to Sri Lanka’s ODI squad to replace batsman Nuwanidu Fernando. Karunaratne captained Sri Lanka’s ODI team until he was dropped following the tour of West Indies in 2021 and has not played international white-ball cricket since.
Also included is fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, a welcome return for Sri Lanka’s best fast bowler who has not played international cricket since September last year when he picked up an injury during the early stages of Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign.
Also missing out on a place is all-rounder Dunith Wellalage, replaced by uncapped leg spinner Dushan Hemantha.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title for the fifth time yesterday (29).
According to the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method, Gujarat Titans (GT), who were the champions of the previous tournament, were defeated by Chennai Super Kings by 5 wickets.
The Chennai team won the IPL title in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021 under the leadership of its Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
According to the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method of the match held in Ahmedabad, the Chennai players who chased a target of 171 runs in 15 overs managed to complete the winning target by losing only 5 wickets in 15 overs.
Devon Conway scored 47 runs and Shivam Dube scored 32 runs not out in 21 balls.
Mohith Sharma took 3 wickets for the Gujarat team.
The CSK won the toss and invited the Gujarat players to bat first. The GT team scored 214 runs for 4 wickets at the end of their 20 overs.
Sai Sudharsan scored 96 runs in 47 balls.
Sri Lankan player Matheesha Pathirana took 2 wickets.
Sri Lankan sprint sensation – Yupun Abeykoon says that he has been advised by medical experts to stay away from competitions for a few weeks due to a minor hamstring injury.
Issuing a statement, Yupun says that he has already stated his rehab process with his Physio, doctors and the rest of the staff and is ‘looking forward to coming back stronger than I was in the upcoming competitions.’