Sri Lanka‘S t20 world cup 2026 The campaign has suffered a big blow from the star all-rounder. Wanindu Hasaranga He was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to injury. The co-hosts confirmed the development after the wrist spinner strained his left hamstring during the opening match against Ireland in Colombo.
The injury has not only thrown Sri Lanka off balance but also dealt an emotional blow to the team, which is heavily dependent on Hasaranga’s match-winning abilities with both bat and ball.
Wanindu Hasaranga displayed patience despite obvious discomfort
Hasaranga was injured during the first match against Sri Lanka ireland On Sunday (8th February) the eminent R. At Premadasa Stadium. After bowling just one over, the 28-year-old was seen walking off the field in obvious discomfort, holding his left hamstring.
However, what happened next underlined his commitment to the national interest. Despite struggling physically, Hasaranga returned to complete his full quota of four overs. Battling pain, he bowled a decisive spell of 3 for 25 and played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s 20-run victory. His wickets broke Ireland’s rhythm at crucial junctures and demonstrated his fighting spirit.
Still, it was clear that something was wrong. Observers noted a decline in his usual agility and intensity on the field. Medical assessment after the game confirmed that the injury would require substantial time to recover, effectively ruling him out of the remainder of the tournament.
A huge presence in Sri Lanka’s T20 setup
Hasaranga’s absence leaves a significant void in Sri Lanka’s lineup. Over the past few years, he has emerged as the heartbeat of their T20I attack. With 154 wickets in 95 matches, he stands as Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker in the shortest format – a testament to his consistency and influence.
His performance on the global stage has been particularly noteworthy. He has consistently topped the wicket charts in the T20 World Cup, taking 16 wickets in 2021 and 15 wickets in 2022. Those campaigns cemented his reputation as one of the premier leg spinners in world cricket.
Beyond the numbers, Hasaranga’s ability to break partnerships in the middle overs and score useful runs lower down the order makes him a rare all-round package. Losing such a player in the middle of a major tournament inevitably forces a strategic reshuffle.
Replacement announced for the legendary spinner
ICC’s technical committee has approved fellow leg spinner Dushan Hemantha As a replacement for Hasaranga for the remainder of the event.
Hemantha, although relatively inexperienced at the highest level, brings promise and recent international experience. He has appeared in five ODIs and three T20I matches for Sri Lanka, taking six wickets. His most recent performance was during Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe in September ahead of the Asia Cup, where he impressed with 3 for 38 in the final ODI of the series.
The team management will now hope that Hemantha can rise to the occasion and take up the responsibility in a high-pressure tournament environment.
