'Just can't get over the fact' - Russel Arnold disappointed after Wanindu Hasaranga went unsold in the IPL 2021 auction

Russel Arnold, the former Sri Lankan cricketer, was disappointed after Wanindu Hasaranga didn’t find a buyer in the auction for the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) that took place on February 18 in Chennai. The latter had registered at a base price of INR 50 lakhs, but the eight franchises refrained from bidding for him.

Hasaranga made his international debut in 2017 and has 45 wickets from 34 matches for the Lankans. Recently, he became the leading wicket-taker in the three-match T20I series against the West Indies. Arnold lauded him and was surprised that he didn’t get a single bid in the IPL auction.

Arnold took to Twitter and wrote, “He is a star @Wanindu49 #wivsl 8 for 42 in 12 overs against the World’s best power hitters. Well done WoWindu …. just can’t get over the fact he didn’t get a look in at the #IPL auction.”

Wanindu Hasaranga showing his class

In the series against the Caribbean team, Wanindu picked up eight wickets from three games. Most importantly, he conceded runs at an economy rate of 3.50. His strike-rate and average of nine and 5.25 were outstanding, to say the least. However, his herculean efforts couldn’t secure a series win for the visitors.

All three matches were played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua and Hasaranga was the star performer. In the second T20I that Sri Lanka won by 43 runs, Hasaranga became the Player of the Match. In his four overs, he picked up the wickets of Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, and Fabian Allen.

“The wicket was slow, I was trying to hit a good line and length, keep a check on the runs. Akila (Dananjaya) bowls with a new ball, while I usually bowl after the powerplay. Hence, I prefer to bowl nice lines and lengths,” Hasaranga told after the game.

Hasaranga was also one of the standout performers in the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL). He played for the Jaffna Stallions, who beat the Galle Gladiators in the final at Hambantota. Not only did he bowl well, but also scored some handy runs with the bat in hand.