Co-host Sri Lanka has suffered a major setback in the T20 World Cup 2026. The team’s star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is out of the entire tournament due to injury. He suffered a hamstring injury during the first match against Ireland in Colombo on Sunday.

Wanindu Hasaranga completed his spell in the first match against Ireland despite injury. He took 3 important wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs. Sri Lanka won this match by 20 runs.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, Hasaranga is out of the entire tournament. The report said an MRI scan conducted on Monday revealed a serious injury to his left hamstring and the report was reviewed by a specialist in the UK before he was ruled out.

Who will be Hasaranga’s replacement?

In the same report, it has been said that leg spinner all-rounder Dushan Hemantha can be included in the team in place of Vanindu Hasaranga. 31-year-old Hemantha has played a total of 8 international matches for Sri Lanka, out of which 5 are ODIs and 3 are T20s. In 3 T20 International matches, Hemantha has scored 21 runs and taken 4 wickets.

Now he may get a good opportunity to perform on a big stage. Hemantha has scored 895 runs in 82 T20s (including league, state) and taken 82 wickets.

sri lanka schedule

Sri Lanka cricket team is included in Group B. They have had one group match, in which the team won. The team’s next match is against Oman on 12 February at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The team’s next match on the same ground is with Australia on 16 February. The team’s last match of the group stage is against Zimbabwe on 19 February at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Sri Lankan team squad

Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pawan Rathanayake, Dunith Velalage, Mahesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Mathisha Pathirana, Ishan Malinga.