Sri Lanka have changed course once more, recalling Kamindu Mendis and omitting Dhananjaya de Silva from a 15-strong squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which starts on Saturday. Young top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake has forced his way in, and Eshan Malinga keeps his place despite dislocating a shoulder at the weekend. Seamer Pramod Madushan, however, has been left out.
The main headline is Kamindu’s return. Only last week the ambidextrous all-rounder was on the periphery, left out of the England T20Is after sitting on the bench in Pakistan. “We still feel he offers the best balance between power and overs of spin,” chief selector Upul Tharanga said on Tuesday. Kamindu’s numbers this past year do not convince on their own – 159 runs at 19.87, strike-rate 130.32 – yet the panel values his ability to bowl with either arm, a role Dhananjaya had filled only patchily.
Dhananjaya’s recent innings have been functional rather than forceful. Against Pakistan and England he struggled to lift the tempo in the middle overs, an area Sri Lanka have identified as a weakness heading into the tournament. “I’ve no complaints; my job is to score quicker,” Dhananjaya said after learning of the decision. He remains on standby.
Kamindu’s recall also leaves room for left-arm-spin all-rounder Dunith Wellalage to make the XI, though at 23 he is still learning the shortest format. Wellalage has played six T20Is since debuting in 2024, batting only three times but collecting seven wickets with admirable control. He impressed in last season’s SA20 with Paarl Royals and later captained Sri Lanka A in the Rising Stars Asia Cup. His overall T20 strike-rate is 106.14; not thrilling, yet the think-tank believes his calm temperament justifies a punt.
Rathnayake, 23, represents another gamble. He debuted in Pakistan last November, was dropped immediately, then thumped a century in the third ODI against England that made everyone notice. A T20I recall followed, and on Sunday he belted 40 from 22 balls to underline his range against spin. “He hits areas few others reach,” batting coach Naveed Nawaz noted. Even so, Rathnayake’s career T20 strike-rate sits at an even 100.00, which partly explains the selectors’ hesitation earlier in the season.
Those shuffles speak to wider uncertainty around the middle order. Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis form a stable top three, but Charith Asalanka and captain Dasun Shanaka have found consistency elusive. Since January 2025, Asalanka averages 15.15 at 122.36; Shanaka 23.83 at 143.00. “The numbers don’t hide anything – I have to finish games,” Shanaka admitted. Poor returns down the list have placed extra strain on the bowlers and forced the panel to look at flexible, spin-friendly all-rounders.
Malinga’s selection is slightly surprising given last Sunday’s shoulder dislocation, yet team physio Ajantha Wattegama insists the right-armer will be fit by match two. “It’s a minor subluxation; with strapping he should bowl fine,” Wattegama said. If the recovery stalls, Madushan is first reserve.
Bowling stocks otherwise read as expected: pace spearheads Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara, with Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga leading the spin. Wellalage, Kamindu and Asalanka give further slow-bowling options, though none boasts Hasaranga’s bite.
Sri Lanka open their campaign in Bridgetown, facing Afghanistan on Saturday. On current form they remain outsiders, yet the management hopes fresh energy can spark a run similar to the 2022 Asia Cup triumph. As Tharanga put it, “T20 is momentum; get on the right side of it early, anything’s possible.” The proof, as ever, will come once the ball is in hand.
Sri Lanka squad
Kusal Mendis (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga, Kasun Rajitha, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk)
