Dushan Hemantha, a talented spin-bowling all-rounder, has been officially named as Wanindu Hasaranga’s replacement in the Sri Lankan squad for the ongoing T20 World Cup. Hasaranga, who has been a key player for Sri Lanka, is sidelined due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the team’s opening match against Ireland.
The 31-year-old Hemantha has previously played five One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and will now have the opportunity to showcase his skills. Sri Lanka’s next challenge is scheduled for Thursday against Oman.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the change, stating, “The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Dushan Hemantha as a replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga in the Sri Lanka squad.”
In a valiant display against Ireland, Hasaranga managed to complete his four overs, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs despite his injury struggles. However, an MRI scan revealed a significant tear in his left hamstring, leading to his exclusion from the tournament.
In a related update, New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell also sustained a calf injury during warm-ups against Afghanistan, prompting the ICC to approve a replacement for him as well, although New Zealand has yet to announce who will step in.
It’s important to note that any player replacement must be sanctioned by the Event Technical Committee (ETC), which includes ICC General Manager Wasim Khan, Gaurav Saxena, Hemang Amin, and Shaun Pollock.
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