Wanindu Hasaranga showcased the true spirit of cricket during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 clash between Jaffna Kings and Kandy Royals, producing a heartwarming moment that quickly became one of the biggest talking points of the tournament. Although the leg-spinner had every right to claim the wicket of Avishka Fernando, he chose sportsmanship over advantage by withdrawing his appeal and inviting his Sri Lankan teammate back to the crease.
The incident unfolded in the 6.3rd over of the Jaffna innings. Hasaranga delivered a leg-break outside off stump, which opener Kamil Mishara struck firmly back towards the bowler. The ball deflected off non-striker Avishka Fernando’s bat before rolling back towards Hasaranga. Spotting Fernando outside his crease, the Kandy Royals captain instinctively collected the ball and broke the stumps.
With the non-striker technically run out, Hasaranga initially appealed. However, moments later, he withdrew the appeal after realizing the unusual nature of the dismissal and gestured for Fernando to return. The touching display of sportsmanship earned widespread applause from players, commentators and fans, with many praising the all-rounder’s respect for the spirit of the game.
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Fernando made the most of the second chance. The opener played a superb innings of 66 runs off just 36 balls, helping Jaffna Kings seize complete control of the contest. Alongside Kamil Mishara, he added a commanding 129-run opening partnership, putting the Kandy Royals’ bowling attack under relentless pressure.
Mishara was equally impressive, anchoring the innings with 78 runs from 53 deliveries, including six boundaries and four sixes. Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy provided the late flourish with a quick 35 off 21 balls, while captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa endured a rare failure with the bat. Jaffna Kings eventually posted an imposing 199/4 from their 20 overs.
Jaffna Kings’ Avishka Fernando was run out at non-strikers end, after ball played by Kamil Mishara hit the bat of Fernando and deflected to Kandy Royals’ Wanindu Hasaranga.
The umpire gave him out, but Hasaranga turns down the appeal, for Fernando to continue, who went on to…
— The CricHub (@thecrichub_live) July 27, 2026
In reply, the Kandy Royals never looked in contention. Their batting lineup collapsed under sustained pressure, losing half the side before reaching 75 runs. Lahiru Udara fought a lone battle with a spirited 54, but received little support from the other end. Surprisingly, the team’s second-highest scorer was Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who managed 22 runs. The Royals were eventually bowled out for 106, handing Jaffna Kings a comprehensive 93-run victory.
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The emphatic win came despite Jaffna Kings recently making headlines for off-field controversies. The franchise has faced intense scrutiny following allegations involving co-owner and former India Under-19 World Cup-winning cricketer Manjot Kalra. Sri Lanka Police arrested Kalra over an alleged match-fixing approach to a player, with reports claiming he attempted to offer ₹9.5 million to influence match outcomes. The franchise has also reportedly received a termination notice after failing to meet financial commitments under its franchise agreement.
Despite the off-field distractions, Jaffna Kings responded in style on the field, while Hasaranga’s remarkable act of sportsmanship served as a timely reminder that cricket’s greatest moments are often defined by character as much as performance.
