'They will buy him': Muralitharan backs Hasaranga to bag an IPL contract in next season

India have justified their favourites tag with quality cricket they have displayed on the Sri Lanka tour. The hosts, though, have risen beyond expectations. Yes, the results do show they have lost three of the four games but they have had their moments but lack of experience and inability to pounce on crunch moments have cost them the games.

Amidst this massive losing streak, one man that has stood tall for Sri Lanka has been Wanindu Hasaranga. The all-rounder emerged as the standout performer for Sri Lanka on West Indies and England tours and made important contributions, both with bat and ball. Even in Sri Lanka’s only win against India in the ongoing series, Hasaranga played a pivotal role.

Legendary Muttiah Muralitharan is mighty pleased with Hasaranga and feels that many IPL franchises would be keen to add him to their squad. However, the veteran feels that Hasaranga may not get enough game time as there are only four overseas slots available.

“IPL franchise should look at him. But the problem is if it’s a local player, he walks into the side. But if it’s a foreign player, you have to see which franchise wants a foreign spinner. It’s a tricky thing. They will buy him but playing him is something that will not be easy for a franchise. Because some franchises look mostly at Indian spinners rather than foreign spinners,” Muralitharan said in a chat on ESPNCricinfo.

“He will get a launch and if he gets a game or two and performs, then he will be a regular player. He bowls well in T20s most of the time. In shorter games he is a very good bowler,” added the 49-year-old.

IPL 2022 is set to be a 10 team event which means that more players will have an opportunity to feature in the showpiece event. Hasaranga can be handy in conditions such as Chennai thus CSK may be one of the franchises who may be interested in him.