Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of T20 World Cup Due to Hamstring Injury

Colombo. Sri Lanka's key all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to injury. He sustained a serious hamstring injury during the first match against Ireland in Colombo on Sunday. 

Hasaranga delivered an excellent bowling performance in that match, conceding 25 runs for three wickets in four overs, which completely derailed Ireland's plan to chase Sri Lanka's target of 164 runs. 

An MRI scan conducted on Monday revealed a serious injury to his left hamstring. Following a review of the report by a specialist doctor in the UK, he was declared ineligible for the tournament on Tuesday. 

Hasaranga has been struggling with injuries for a long time, and this latest injury is understood to be related to his pre-existing issues. Losing their main weapon just before the World Cup is a major blow for Sri Lanka. Hasaranga has proven himself to be one of the best bowlers in this format, taking 40 wickets in 20 T20 World Cup innings at an economy rate of 6.01. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has permitted the inclusion of leg-spinning all-rounder Dunith Wellalage in the squad as a replacement for Hasaranga. Although the 31-year-old Wellalage has limited international experience, he is considered to possess skills similar to Hasaranga's. 

He has only played three T20 international matches so far. Given the absence of other specialist spinners in the squad, there is a high probability that he will be included directly in the final eleven for the match against Oman on Thursday. 

Sri Lanka will now have to compete without Hasaranga in the remaining group stage matches. Sri Lanka's second match is against Oman in Pallekele on February 12. They are then scheduled to compete against Australia on February 16 and Zimbabwe on February 19 in Colombo.