- Rajasthan Royals bagged the two spin twins from Sri Lanka in the shape of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Sunday.
Hasaranga was sold for INR 5.25 while his fellow tweaker was snapped up for INR 4.4 after high demand in the IPL Auction concluded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Hasaranga made his IPL debut for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) a few years back but he wasn’t quite able to make the impact that was expected of him.
In fact, at the time Hasaranga was making waves in the international cricket fighting it out with Rashid Khan and Tabraiz Shamsi for the top spot in ICC T20 Rankings. However, with below par performances in IPL, Hasaranga perhaps lost his confidence which appeared to even impact his performances for the national team.
Though he was dominating the Lanka Premier League (LPL), the legspinner lost his dominance at the world stage against stronger oppositions and endured miserable stint as the Captain of the National T20 Team.
One of the key all-rounders for Sri Lanka in white-ball cricket Hasaranga made almost no impact with the bat during his time at RCB. On the other hand, towards the end of his time at RCB, he was dropped from the team which could have only destroyed his confidence.
However, Rajasthan Royals presents Hasaranga a sensational opportunity to revive his career. Royals used to play both Yuzi Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin in almost every game in the recent IPL seasons but with Chahal moving to Punjab Kings and Ashwin returning to Chennai Super Kings, Hasaranga is almost guaranteed for a spot in the playing XI.
Royals had also used Ashwin as a floater in the batting line-up last season and being able to bat higher up the order is something Hasaranga really enjoyed for Sri Lanka.
It seems to boost his confidence as batsman and the way Royals are approaching the game, there is a very good chance that Hasaranga will be given that particular role every now and then. Hasaranga also had a very successful run against Royals Captain Sanju Samson in the past few years, the right hander however, would be glad that Hasaranga will be wearing that Pink and Blue Jersey next.