In a major blow to SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), ace Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 due to a left heel injury.

Initial reports suggested that Hasaranga could be unavailable for a week but his injury has turned out worse now. Later, Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva confirmed that he will have to undergo rehabilitation to get his issue sorted before the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies.

“He is not taking part in the IPL as he needs to do some rehabilitation after meeting the podiatrist. There’s a swelling in the heel, and he has been playing with injections. So he has decided to get this issue sorted out before the World Cup and informed us of his decision to skip the IPL this year,” Sri Lanka CEO Ashley de Silva told The Sunday Times.

The revelation came as a surprise as his manager had earlier told Cricbuzz: “All I can say is he will definitely join the team”.

Hasaranga was bought by SRH at his base price of INR 1.5 crore, following his release from Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His manager categorically denied that low price tag was not a reason for the ace spinner missing out on the lucrative tournament.

“If money was a factor, we could have enrolled for an INR 2 crore base price. Besides, fewer games mean less money. He has to take care of his ankle. He is also the captain of the national team,” the manager had said.