T20 World Cup 2026 Injury Update: So

Wanindu Hasaranga, a talismanic leg-spinner, was disqualified from the T20 World Cup after just one game, dealing a severe blow to Sri Lanka. On Sunday, February 8, the former captain of Sri Lanka produced an outstanding performance in the country's first match against Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. In four overs, he gave up just 25 runs while taking three wickets. But as a player at least, this will be his final gift to the Island Nation.

The 28-year-old sustained the injury during Sri Lanka's first group encounter against Ireland in Colombo, but he still contributed to a 20-run victory with a strong bowling performance of 3/25 in four overs. Subsequent MRI scans, however, showed a large rupture in his left hamstring, so the team had to clarify that he would not be playing the rest of the tournament.

T20 World Cup 2026 Injury Update:

JUST IN: Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the #T20WorldCup after an MRI scan on Tuesday revealed a serious tear in his left hamstring

He will likely be replaced in Sri Lanka's squad by fellow legspin-bowling allrounder Dushan Hemantha pic.twitter.com/u9lELt336R

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 10, 2026

The Colombo native has amassed 895 runs in 82 games with a strike rate of 120.94 and an average of 17.21 in T20 cricket. He has taken 82 wickets with the ball with a strike rate of 15.10 and an average of 16.67. Hemantha is expected to succeed Hasaranga, a renowned match-winner; he has enormous shoes to fill.

Sri Lanka defeated Ireland by 20 runs to begin the T20 World Cup. After Paul Stirling requested them to bat first, they put up 163/6 in 20 overs on a challenging wicket. With an undefeated 56, Kusal Mendis led the home team in scoring. But Kamindu Mendis' 19-ball 44 was the highlight of the match. During the second innings, Ireland was dismissed for 143 runs. Maheesh Theekshana, in addition to Hasaranga, also received a three-for.

Regrettably, the injury occurred at a time when Sri Lanka was hoping to gain momentum following their initial triumph. After losing both their key spinner and another frontline bowler, Eshan Malinga, to injury earlier, Sri Lanka now faces a more difficult road to the Super Eight stages with games against Oman, Australia, and Zimbabwe remaining in the group round.

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