Sri Lanka have confirmed Wanindu Hasaranga will take no further part in the 2026 T20 World Cup after a scan showed a significant tear in his left hamstring. The all-rounder suffered the injury midway through Sunday’s opener against Ireland in Colombo but still finished his four overs, returning 3 for 25 and effectively ending Ireland’s pursuit of 164.
An MRI, carried out on Monday and reviewed by a specialist in the UK, highlighted damage linked to a previous hamstring problem, though medical staff insist this is “not an exact recurrence”. Hasaranga’s fitness record has been patchy for several seasons – a foot issue and assorted soft-tissue niggles have never been far away – yet losing him at a global event remains a major setback.
The ICC has approved fellow leg-spinning all-rounder Dushan Hemantha as the replacement. Hemantha, 31, owns three T20I caps and four wickets at 7.85 an over. He offers a similar skill set – wrist-spin plus lower-order hitting – but has rarely featured at this level. With no other specialist spinner on the bench, the selectors may have little choice but to use him straight away.
Farveez Maharoof, speaking on local television, applauded Hasaranga’s determination. “Credit to Hasaranga for bowling with one leg,” he said, adding that it showed “courage and sacrifice” during a tight contest.
Statistically, Hasaranga’s absence is stark: 40 World Cup wickets in 20 innings, conceding just 6.01 runs per over. He is also Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is overall, so the bowling unit now leans heavily on Maheesh Theekshana and the seamers.
The remaining Group A fixtures mean a swift adjustment. Sri Lanka face Oman in Pallekele on 12 February, Australia at the same venue four days later, and Zimbabwe back in Colombo on 19 February. Progress to the Super Eights probably requires at least two victories; doing so without their trump card will test both strategy and depth.
Sri Lanka’s management insist they will “rally around the squad”, but the mood was understandably subdued at training on Tuesday. A tough road lies ahead, even if, on paper, the group is negotiable.
