Wanindu Hasaranga is one of the biggest cricket stars from Sri Lanka today. He is famous for his tricky leg-spin bowling and his powerful batting. Many people call him a ‘game changer’ because he can turn the match around with just a few balls.
Wanindu is not just a cricketer. He is a big hope for Sri Lankan cricket fans. Let’s know his full story — his age, height, family, girlfriend, how he became so popular, and what controversies he faced.
Quick Info Table
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pinnaduwage Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva |
| Nickname | Waniya |
| Birth Date | July 29, 1997 |
| Age | 27 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birth Place | Galle, Sri Lanka |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm leg break |
| Role | Bowling all-rounder |
| Teams | Sri Lanka National Team, RCB, Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Father | Unnamed (private) |
| Mother | Unnamed (private) |
| Siblings | Chaturanga de Silva (brother) |
| Girlfriend | Rumored, no official name |
| Famous For | Leg-spin, hat-tricks, T20 heroics |
| Controversies | Minor on-field incidents only |
Early Life: From Galle to World Cricket
Wanindu was born on July 29, 1997, in Galle, Sri Lanka. Galle is a pretty city near the sea. When Wanindu was small, he loved playing cricket on the streets with his brother, Chaturanga de Silva. Chaturanga is also a cricketer and inspired Wanindu to follow cricket seriously.
Wanindu’s family is simple and loving. His father and mother never forced him to study too much or take another job. They saw his love for cricket and always supported him. Wanindu went to Richmond College in Galle. His teachers and friends still remember him as a cheerful boy who could never stay away from the cricket ground.
He played school-level matches for Richmond College and impressed everyone with his batting. Back then, he wanted to become a fast bowler! But his coach told him to try leg-spin instead because Sri Lanka needed more spinners. So Wanindu changed his style — and that change made him a world star today.
How Tall is Wanindu Hasaranga?
Wanindu Hasaranga’s height is about 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). He is not too tall or too short, which is good for a spinner. He has a fit body with strong legs and flexible arms. This helps him spin the ball and also bat well.
Fans often say his quick arm action makes his googlies very dangerous. He works out every day, runs a lot, and eats healthy food to stay in shape. He always says, “Fitness is as important as skills if you want to play for long.”
Wanindu Hasaranga’s Age: How Young Is He?
Wanindu was born in 1997, so he will turn 28 in July 2025. Even though he is still young, he has already made a big name for himself. He has played in T20 leagues like the IPL and also in the Lanka Premier League.
Many people believe that the best years for a spinner come in their late 20s. So his fans believe that the best is yet to come from Wanindu.
Family: A Bond That Made Him Strong
Wanindu comes from a humble and simple family in Galle. His brother, Chaturanga de Silva, is also a cricketer and plays for Sri Lanka’s domestic teams. Chaturanga always guided Wanindu and helped him learn how to face pressure.
Their parents do not like too much media attention. Wanindu rarely shares their names in public. But he always thanks his parents for letting him choose cricket when other families wanted their kids to get “safe” jobs.
When he has free time, Wanindu visits Galle and spends time with his parents and brother. He says that his family keeps him grounded. They always tell him, “No matter how many wickets you take, always be a good person first.”
Professional Cricket Career: The Big Journey
Wanindu’s cricket journey is like a storybook. After playing school cricket, he got picked for Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team. He did well there, and soon he got a chance to play for the Sri Lanka national team in 2017.
He became an instant hero when he took a hat-trick on his ODI debut against Zimbabwe! This is very rare for any bowler. He showed the world that he was ready for big matches.
After that, Wanindu focused more on T20 cricket. He is now one of the top wicket-takers in T20 Internationals. He can bowl googlies, flippers, and leg breaks that confuse even the best batsmen.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he first played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Fans loved him there because he always gave his best. He took many key wickets and even batted well when needed. Later, he moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2024 season. His IPL journey helped him gain respect worldwide.
His Style of Bowling: Why Batsmen Fear Him
Wanindu Hasaranga is famous for his quick leg-spin and dangerous googlies. Unlike many spinners who take time to bowl, he bowls fast and keeps the batsman guessing. This makes it hard for batsmen to hit big shots.
He says he learned by watching videos of Shane Warne and Rashid Khan. He tried to copy their wrist work and then made his own style.
Wanindu is also brave. He does not get scared of being hit for sixes. He believes that if you don’t take risks, you won’t take wickets. This fearless mindset is what makes him so successful.
Batting Skills: More Than Just a Bowler
Many people think Wanindu is just a bowler, but that is not true. He is also a good lower-order batsman. He can hit big sixes and finish matches. In local leagues, he sometimes opens the batting too.
Coaches say he can become a proper all-rounder if he keeps improving his batting. He works hard on his batting because he wants to help the team in every way possible.
Does Wanindu Hasaranga Have a Girlfriend?
This is the question that many fans keep asking! Wanindu likes to keep his personal life very private. There have been rumors that he has a girlfriend back in Sri Lanka, but he has never talked about it in public.
He says that his focus is fully on cricket right now. He wants to help Sri Lanka win big matches before thinking about marriage or sharing anything about his love life. Fans respect this and wait for him to share the happy news when he feels ready.
Controversies: Is He Involved in Any?
Wanindu Hasaranga is known for being a calm and disciplined player. He does not like to fight with other players or do bad things on the field. He plays hard but fair.
One small controversy happened when he missed a big series for Sri Lanka because of an injury but was later seen playing franchise cricket. Some people said he should have rested more. But his coaches cleared the air and said he had permission and was fit to play T20s.
Apart from this, he has never been part of any big controversy or bad news. He wants to be a role model for kids and make his country proud.
Records and Big Achievements
Wanindu’s career is already full of great records. Here are some of his best:
- Took a hat-trick on ODI debut — very few players have done this!
- One of the highest wicket-takers in T20 Internationals.
- Played for top IPL teams like RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- Played in different T20 leagues across the world.
- Won Man of the Match and Player of the Series awards multiple times.
- Helped Sri Lanka win the Asia Cup in 2022 with his all-round performance.
His teammates say he always wants to improve and never settles for less.
Fun Facts About Wanindu Hasaranga
Here are some fun things that fans love about him:
- His favorite food is rice and curry, like most Sri Lankans.
- He loves fishing and spends time near the sea in Galle.
- He wears the number 49 jersey as it is his lucky number.
- He enjoys listening to music before big matches.
- He once said his dream wicket is Virat Kohli — and he got it in the IPL!
Future Goals: What’s Next for Wanindu?
Wanindu wants to help Sri Lanka become a strong cricket team again. He dreams of winning the T20 World Cup for his country. He also wants to play more Test matches and prove that he can do well in all formats.
He says he wants to play cricket as long as his body allows. He also wants to coach young kids in the future and open a cricket academy in Galle.
Wanindu’s fans believe he will become one of the best leg-spinners in the world. They love his smile, fighting spirit, and respect for the game.
