Big blow to the host team, star all-rounder is out

New Delhi: The T20 World Cup 2026 is underway and hosts Sri Lanka have started their campaign with a win. However, the team has faced a major setback. Star spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

According to recent reports, Hasaranga has suffered a serious strain in his left leg muscle. Doctors have advised him to take rest from cricket immediately after the MRI scan. The medical team believes that if he acted hastily, his injury could worsen. For this reason, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board decided to keep him out of the tournament.

Great performance against Ireland

Hasaranga had performed brilliantly against Ireland. He took three important wickets giving 25 runs in four overs. Due to his performance, Sri Lanka successfully defended the target of 164 runs and defeated Ireland by 20 runs. Although he faced some trouble with his run-up and follow through during the match, he continued to bowl till the end and kept the pressure on the opposition batsmen.

Big blow to Sri Lanka

Wanindu Hasaranga’s exclusion is a big blow for Sri Lanka. He is the highest T20 wicket taker for Sri Lanka, with 154 wickets in 95 T20 Internationals. He is also the second-highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history behind Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, as he has taken 40 wickets in just 20 World Cup matches.

New challenge in future matches

Now the Sri Lankan team will have to play the further matches without Hasaranga. Their next match will be against Oman on February 12 in Pallekele. After this, they will face Australia on 16 February and Zimbabwe on 19 February.

Dushan Hemantha may get a chance

According to reports, leg spinner Dushan Hemantha may be included in the team in Hasaranga’s absence. 31-year-old Hemantha has so far played five ODIs and three T20 International matches for Sri Lanka, in which he has taken a total of six wickets. His economy rate in T20 cricket has been 7.85. Now everyone’s eyes will be on what performance he can perform on this big stage.