Sri Lanka All-Rounder Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out For Remainder Of T20 World Cup 2026

Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the remainder of Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign due to a hamstring injury.

In a major development, Sri Lanka’s star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026. The spin star of the co-hosts was sidelined due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the opening clash against Ireland in Colombo.

Wanindu Hasaranga will not be available for the remainder of the tournament after an MRI scan on Monday revealed a massive tear in his left hamstring. Reports reviewed by a specialist doctor in the UK signalled the green light for his rule-out, and hence Hasaranga will no longer be available for the rest of the tournament.

Dushan Hemantha Set To Replace Wanindu Hasaranga In The Squad

Although Sri Lanka has not announced any official replacement yet, Wanindu Hasaranga is likely to be replaced in the squad by leg-spin all-rounder Dushan Hemantha.

Dushan Hemantha is a Sri Lankan right-handed leg-break bowling all-rounder who has risen through the ranks with consistent performances in domestic List A and First-Class cricket. He has also represented the nation in five ODIs and three T20Is, where he has scalped four wickets in the shortest format.

Even though Hemantha joins the squad in place of Hasaranga, Hasaranga’s contribution with the bat in Sri Lanka’s lower middle order cannot be overlooked. In T20I cricket, Hasaranga has amassed 807 runs at an average of 13.45 and a strike rate of 126.29 from 95 appearances, underlining his dual impact.

ALSO READ | Italy Captain Wayne Madsen Dislocates Shoulder in T20 World Cup Debut

Nevertheless, Sri Lanka’s second group clash is against Oman on February 12, followed by Australia on February 16, and they will conclude their group stage against Zimbabwe in Colombo on February 19.