Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Kusal Mendis Ruled Out as Asalanka Leads Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will play England in three T20I cricket matches.
Their regular captain, Kusal Mendis, cannot play because he is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Fast-bowler Binura Fernando will also miss the matches because of a back injury.
Both players were hurt during the Lanka Premier League 2026.
Charith Asalanka will lead Sri Lanka’s T20I team instead.
He is returning to T20I cricket after being away for six months.
Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka have been added to replace the injured players.
The wider England tour will also include three one-day matches.
Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando will miss Sri Lanka’s three-match T20I series against England while recovering from injuries.
Charith Asalanka will captain Sri Lanka’s T20I team after returning to the format following a six-month absence.
Pavan Rathnayake replaces Mendis in the squad, while Dilshan Madushanka replaces Fernando.
The England tour begins on September 15 and includes three T20Is and three ODIs.
Dasun Shanaka has been selected for both squads and returns to Sri Lanka’s ODI team for the first time since January 2024.
- Who
- Sri Lanka, captained in the T20Is by Charith Asalanka, will face England; Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando are unavailable.
- What
- Sri Lanka has changed its squads for a three-match T20I and three-match ODI tour after two players were ruled out of the T20Is.
- When
- The tour starts on September 15; the article does not specify the year for the tour date.
- Where
- The matches will be played as part of Sri Lanka’s tour of England.
- Why
- Mendis and Fernando are still undergoing rehabilitation for injuries sustained during the Lanka Premier League 2026.
- T20I captain
- Charith Asalanka
- Unavailable players
- Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando
- Mendis’ injury
- Hamstring injury
- Fernando’s injury
- Back injury
- Squad replacements
- Pavan Rathnayake replaces Mendis; Dilshan Madushanka replaces Fernando
- Tour schedule
- Three T20Is and three ODIs, beginning September 15
- Asalanka’s return
- He returns to T20I cricket after a six-month absence