IPL 2021: 3 things you need to know about Wanindu Hasaranga, RCB's latest recruit

Wanindu Hasaranga has replaced Adam Zampa in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad for the second phase of IPL 2021. The Sri Lankan could make his IPL debut in the United Arab Emirates next month.

Hasaranga made a name for himself with match-winning performances for the Jaffna Stallions in the 2020 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL). He was named 'Man of the Tournament' after his team emerged champions last year. Hasaranga has also performed consistently for the Sri Lankan national team.

Most recently, the leg-spin-bowling allrounder powered the island nation to a 2-1 T20I series win against Team India at home. RCB will hope that, considering his recent form, Hasaranga will turn out to be a consistent performer for the remainder of the IPL 2021 season.

Here's a look at some lesser-known facts about the Sri Lankan star.

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1. Wanindu Hasaranga is currently the highest-ranked Asian bowler on ICC T20I rankings

Wanindu Hasaranga is the new No.2 bowler on the @MRFWorldwide ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings 🎉Full list ➡️ https://t.co/H7CnAiepAj pic.twitter.com/HDRbDjvxf0

— ICC (@ICC) July 28, 2021

Asia is home to some of the best bowlers in the world, and Wanindu Hasaranga is ahead of all the other Asian bowlers in the ICC T20I rankings. The Sri Lankan all-rounder is in second position, with 764 points. Only former RCB player Tabraiz Shamsi is ahead of the Sri Lankan.

Hasaranga climbed up the rankings after a brilliant performance in the T20I series against India. He bowled a dream spell of 4/9 on his 24th birthday to help Sri Lanka win the series decider in Colombo.

Wanindu Hasaranga is 12th in the ICC T20I rankings for all-rounders.

Get the IPL 2021 live telecast channel list here.

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2. Wanindu Hasaranga played against RCB teammate Washington Sundar in ICC U19 World Cup in 2016

Wanindu Hasaranga represented his nation in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2016

The ICC U19 World Cup is considered the first step towards greatness for any cricketer. Many big names like Virat Kohli, Ben Stokes, Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and others have been part of this competition.

Wanindu Hasaranga played for Sri Lanka U-19s in the ICC U-19 World Cup 2016. Sri Lanka U-19s finished fourth in the tournament, with Wanindu scalping seven wickets in six matches for the team.

Sri Lanka U19s battled Ishan Kishan's India in the semifinal. In that game, Hasaranga played against Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Avesh Khan and his soon-to-be RCB teammate Washington Sundar. Hasaranga went wicketless in that game and scored eight runs in the second innings.

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3. Evin Lewis destroyed Wanindu Hasaranga on his T20 debut

Lewis 44* off 18. Afridi 37 off 17 and 4 wickets. Narine 3-10. @dhaka_dynamites showing why they're defending champions. Demoralising table toppers Sylhet Sixers. #BPL2017

— Static_357 (@Static_a357) November 11, 2017

Wanindu Hasaranga made his T20 debut in the 2017 Bangladesh Premier League. He represented the Sylhet Sixers in his first match. Sylhet included him in their playing XI for the game against Dhaka Dynamites.

Hasaranga's team batted first and scored 101/9 in their 20 overs. Dhaka chased the 102-run target in just 7.5 overs. Hasaranga bowled the last over of the game, where Evin Lewis smashed three sixes and finished things off in style.

The Sri Lankan star had an economy rate of 24 in his first T20 match, but Hasaranga has improved a lot now. After playing 60 T20 matches, he has 80 wickets to his name at an economy of 6.37.