Big blow to Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of T20 World Cup due to injury

In a major blow to Sri Lanka, their star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup 2026 due to hamstring injury. The injury occurred during the co-hosts' T20 World Cup 2026's campaign opener against Ireland in Colombo. While Hasaranga did manage to complete his four-over spell, finishing with impressive figures of 3/25 to stifle Ireland’s chase of 164, the physical toll of the match proved to be season-ending.

Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of T20 World Cup

The severity of the injury was confirmed following an MRI scan on February 9, which identified a serious tear in his left hamstring. To ensure an accurate diagnosis, the medical reports were reviewed by a specialist in the UK, leading to the definitive decision to withdraw him from the squad. Sri Lanka is now expected to call up fellow leg-spinning all-rounder Dushan Hemantha as his injury replacement.

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Hasranga's injury-plagued career

This recurring issue has hindered his career for years, including a Grade 3 tear that sidelined him for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Given his medical history of two major surgeries—the most recent being in Singapore just last month—this latest flare-up in Colombo appears to be a devastating blow to his dreams of winning a title on home soil.

The physical strain was visible to spectators throughout the opening match, even as he looked every bit the world-class operator while dismissing Harry Tector and Mark Adair. Hasaranga was seen repeatedly stretching the affected muscle before finally succumbing to the pain. Consequently, Sri Lanka is now expected to submit a formal replacement request to the ICC, as the injury is deemed severe enough to prevent any further participation in the tournament.

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All-rounder Dushan Hemantha has emerged as the frontrunner to step into the massive void left by the veteran leg-spinner. While Hemantha provides utility and is already being prepped to join the main squad, replacing a player of Hasaranga’s caliber is a monumental task. As a team that entered the tournament as dark horses, Sri Lanka must now figure out how to maintain their bowling aggression without the mystery and leadership of their star man.

The national team must now navigate the rest of their group-stage fixtures without their premier spinner. Their campaign continues in Pallekele, where they face Oman on February 12 and Australia on February 16, before returning to Colombo to play Zimbabwe at the RPS on February 19.