Sri Lanka’s co-hosting ambitions for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have been hit by a major setback following the official withdrawal of Wanindu Hasaranga. The star leg-spinner and all-rounder, a cornerstone of the national side and a world-class T20 talent, is set to miss the rest of the event. For local supporters, his absence is a heavy loss, as he has consistently served as the primary weapon in Sri Lanka’s bowling arsenal.
The Nature of the Injury
The injury occurred during Sri Lanka’s opening match against Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Despite experiencing sharp discomfort in his left leg early in the match, Hasaranga displayed immense grit by completing his full quota of four overs. His perseverance paid off in the short term, as he finished with match-winning figures of 3 for 25, derailing Ireland’s chase and securing a 20-run victory for the co-hosts.
However, the cost of that effort became clear the following morning. An MRI scan conducted on Monday revealed a serious tear in his left hamstring. After a consultation with a specialist based in the United Kingdom, the medical team determined that the injury would require a minimum recovery period of four to six weeks. Consequently, the ICC Event Technical Committee has formally approved his removal from the squad, ending his campaign just as it had begun.
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A Proven Performer at ICC Events
Losing Hasaranga is not merely about losing a bowler; it is about losing a player who consistently saves his best performances for the world stage. His historical dominance in T20 World Cups is unparalleled in recent years. In the 2021 edition, he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps, and he repeated the feat in 2022 by topping the charts again with 15 wickets.
Across his T20 World Cup career, Hasaranga has amassed 40 wickets at a remarkable economy rate of just 6.01. His ability to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs while keeping the scoring rate under stifling control has been the foundation of Sri Lanka’s tactical approach. Beyond the numbers, his absence removes a strategic leader from the field. Having previously captained the national side, he often served as a vital lieutenant to the current leadership, providing instinctive tactical adjustments and high-energy fielding that often inspired his teammates.
Replacement Announced for the Ace Spinner
To fill the void left by their star player, the Sri Lankan selectors have called up Dushan Hemantha as the official replacement. The 31-year-old leg-spinning all-rounder has been a consistent performer on the domestic circuit and has previously represented the national team in five ODIs and three T20 Internationals.
While Hemantha lacks the extensive international experience of Hasaranga, he brings a similar profile to the squad. He recently impressed during a tour of Zimbabwe, where he showed an ability to extract turn and bounce even on flatter tracks. The Event Technical Committee, which includes figures such as ICC General Manager Wasim Khan and former South African captain Shaun Pollock, approved the change ahead of Sri Lanka’s critical upcoming fixture against Oman in Pallekele.
Tactical Impact on Sri Lanka’s Campaign
The ripples of this injury will be felt throughout the Sri Lankan lineup. Hasaranga’s batting—characterized by his explosive strike rate of over 126 in T20Is—provided a much-needed insurance policy for the lower-middle order. Without his cameos, the pressure intensifies on the specialist batters to maintain momentum during the death overs.
Furthermore, the team’s bowling combinations must now be entirely recalibrated. The injury to Hasaranga follows the earlier loss of fast bowler Eshan Malinga, who was sidelined with a dislocated shoulder and replaced by Pramod Madushan. With two key members of the original bowling unit now unavailable, the coaching staff will likely look toward a more collective effort, relying on the spin depth of Hemantha and the pace variations of Madushan to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
As the tournament moves into the high-stakes group matches against Australia and Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka must find a way to channel the “fighting spirit” Hasaranga showed in his final game. While the absence of their talisman is a significant setback, it provides an opportunity for a new hero to emerge in front of the passionate home crowds.
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