Sri Lanka has finally announced its squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India & Sri Lanka. The 10th edition of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will begin on the 7th of February. Kamindu Mendis, who wasn’t included in the recently concluded bilateral series against England and Pakistan this year, has been named in the squad, while Dhananjaya De Silva has been dropped due to some below-par performances in the T20I series against Pakistan and England.
Right-handed batter Pavan Rathnayake and pacer Eshan Malinga have also been included in the squad. Rathnayake made his T20I debut against Pakistan in November 2025. He scored a brilliant 121 against England recently in the third ODI that might have helped him get selected in the squad. His strike rate is 145.45 in T20Is.
Kamindu has managed just 159 runs in the shorter format since last year or so, with a strike rate of 130.32. He can be vital with his orthodox spin also. Left-arm spin all-rounder Dunith Wellalage has also been included in the squad. He has consistently played in the 50-over format but has so far played in just 6 T20Is, claiming 7 wickets.
He was the captain of Sri Lanka A in the Rising Stars Asia Cup in November 2025. His strike rate in T20Is is 106.14, which might have prompted the selectors to include him in the squad.
Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka have looked below par with the bat. Batters Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have looked in decent form. Kusal Perera has been included in the squad. The left-hander was dropped against Pakistan in the T20I series but was included for the England series. Batting all-rounder Janith Liyanage has also been included, as he can add width in the bowling as well as the batting department.
Pacers Pramod Madhushan and Nuwan Thushara have been dropped, while Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameeera and Eshan Malinga can add penetration in the pace department. Left arm Binuro Fernando’s exclusion is a big surprise. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are the pillars in the spin department and would be assisted by other spinners, Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis and Asalanka.
Sri Lanka is placed in Group B, which also consists of teams like Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman. Sri Lanka will play its first match against Ireland at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on the 8th of February.
Sri Lankan squad for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup : Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.
