IND vs SL: Big blow to Sri Lanka as they lose their 1st ODI hero to injury, 34-year-old spinner named replacement

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IND vs SL: Host Sri Lanka suffered a big blow after losing their star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to a hamstring for the remaining two ODIs of the three-match series against India.

The leg-spinner played a key role as Sri Lanka managed to restrict Sri Lanka to a tie in the first ODI on Friday. He picked the crucial wickets of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul and finished with figures of 3/58 in 10 overs.

"He experienced pain in his left hamstring while delivering the last ball of his 10th over during the first ODI. An MRI performed on the player, following this, confirmed the injury," the SLC stated in a media release on Saturday.

34-year-old leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who was kept on standby, was named as 27-year-old Hasaranga's replacement. Nine India wickets fell to spin bowling in the first ODI, and it's very likely that Vandersay will play in the second ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, August 4.

Sri Lanka have been dealing with injury issues even before the start of the preceding T20I series against India. Dushmantha Chameera (bronchitis and respiratory infection) and Nuwan Thushara (thumb) were ruled out ahead of the three T20I games.

A day before the start of the ODI series, Sri Lanka Cricket announced that star pacer Matheesha Pathirana (shoulder injury) and Dilshan Madushanka (hamstring injury) have also been ruled out. They were replaced by Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga. Shiraz made his Sri Lanka debut in the first ODI.

The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka ended in a tie after India lost their last two wickets with just one run needed to win. Batting first Sri Lanka recovered from 101/5 to score 230/8 in 50 overs. India were bundled out for 230 in 47.5 overs despite a 75-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.