T20 World Cup 2026: Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out, Sri Lanka to name replacement soon
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "T20 World Cup 2026: Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out, Sri Lanka to name replacement soon")
Wanindu Hasaranga Photograph: (AFP)
Sri Lanka will play their second group match against Oman in Pallekele on Feb 12, before facing Australia at the same venue on Feb 16 and then taking on Zimbabwe at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Feb 19.
Sri Lanka star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup after picking up a left hamstring injury. According to Sri Lankan media reports, he will be out for about four weeks, which ends his tournament early in the event co-hosted by Sri Lanka. The injury happened during Sri Lanka’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo on Sunday. Hasaranga looked uncomfortable during the game but still finished his four overs, taking three for 25. An MRI scan done on Monday confirmed the injury.
Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha is likely to be named as his replacement. The 31-year-old has played five ODIs and three T20Is for Sri Lanka, taking six wickets with a T20 economy rate of 7.85.
In T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka started their campaign with a 20-run win over Ireland at the R Premadasa Stadium. After a slow start, Kamindu Mendis scored 44 off 19 balls and Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 56 to lift Sri Lanka to 163 for six. Hasaranga then played a key role with the ball to swing the match in Sri Lanka’s favour.
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Ireland were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs while chasing 164. Ross Adair made 34 off 23 balls and Harry Tector scored 40 off 34. For Sri Lanka, Hasaranga struck at crucial moments, as he removed Adair early with a googly and later dismissed Tector just as Ireland were trying to rebuild.
Together with Maheesh Theekshana, who took three for 23, Hasaranga kept things tight in the middle overs. During the match, Hasaranga also became the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history.
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Sri Lanka will now miss Hasaranga’s experience and Theekshana will have extra responsibility in the middle overs in the upcoming matches. Sri Lanka will now face Oman on Feb 12 in Pallekele, followed by matches against Australia on Feb 16 and Zimbabwe on Feb 19. Winning at least two of these games will be important for their chances of reaching the next round (Super Eight stage).
