Kamindu Mendis Recalled as Sri Lanka Name T20 World Cup Squad; Dhananjaya de Silva Dropped

Sri Lanka have recalled Kamindu Mendis and left out Dhananjaya de Silva in their 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup, which begins on Saturday. The selection also includes uncapped youngster Pavan Rathnayake, while seamer Pramod Madushan has missed out.

Among the notable inclusions are 23-year-old Rathnayake and Eshan Malinga, who has been retained in the squad despite dislocating his shoulder on Sunday. The biggest talking point, however, is Kamindu’s return after being overlooked for recent T20I assignments against Pakistan and England.

Kamindu replaces Dhananjaya, who struggled to accelerate during his recent outings in the T20I series against England and Pakistan. While Kamindu’s own form in the format has been modest—159 runs since the start of 2025 at an average of 19.87—his strike rate of 130.32 has worked in his favour. His ambidextrous bowling also offers a like-for-like alternative to Dhananjaya, even though he has bowled only six overs in 12 T20 matches in the same period.

The selection has also opened up opportunities for left-arm spin allrounder Dunith Wellalage, another inclusion seen as one for the future. Although the 23-year-old has featured in just six T20Is since his debut in 2024, he has impressed in limited chances, picking up seven wickets and gaining valuable experience in franchise and A-team cricket, including the SA20 with Paarl Royals and captaining Sri Lanka A in the Rising Stars Asia Cup.

Rathnayake’s selection is another sign of the selectors backing potential. He made his T20I debut in Pakistan in November but was dropped for the home series, having batted only once in three matches. His maiden ODI century against England, followed by a quick 40 off 22 balls in the recent T20I, proved decisive in earning him a World Cup call-up. Though his T20 strike rate remains modest, selectors believe his power-hitting ability—particularly against spin—can translate at the highest level.

The recall of Kamindu and the inclusions of Rathnayake and Wellalage underline Sri Lanka’s ongoing concerns over their middle order. While the top three of Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis appears settled, both Charith Asalanka and captain Dasun Shanaka have struggled for consistency at Nos. 4 and 5. Since the start of 2025, Asalanka and Shanaka average 15.15 and 23.83 respectively in T20Is, though Shanaka’s strike rate of 143.00 has been a positive.

Co-hosts Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B of the 20-team tournament alongside Australia, Ireland, Oman and Zimbabwe. All of Sri Lanka’s group matches will be played at home. They begin their campaign against Ireland on February 8 and Zimbabwe on February 19 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, and face Oman on February 12 and Australia on February 16 in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Dasun Shanaka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.