Sri Lanka have made two injury-enforced changes to their squad ahead of the upcoming England T20I series, with Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando ruled out after failing to complete their rehabilitation from injuries suffered during the Lanka Premier League 2026. Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka have been called up as their replacements, while Charith Asalanka will captain the side in Mendis’ absence.
The changes were confirmed by Sri Lanka T20I squad Cricket on September 4, just days after the original squads for the England white-ball tour were announced. The three-match T20I series begins on September 15 at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, followed by matches in Cardiff on September 17 and Manchester on September 19.
Sri Lanka T20I squad changes after injury setbacks
Kusal Mendis will miss the T20I portion of the England tour because of a right hamstring injury sustained during the Lanka Premier League. Binura Fernando has also been ruled out while recovering from a back injury.
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that both players remain in rehabilitation and will therefore not take part in the three-match T20I series. The development is particularly significant because Mendis had originally been named captain of Sri Lanka’s T20I and ODI squads for the tour.
Mendis’ absence from the T20Is does not currently remove him from the wider England tour. According to the ICC, he remains part of Sri Lanka’s ODI squad, meaning the latest changes specifically affect the T20I leg.
Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka called up
Pavan Rathnayake has been selected to replace Mendis, while left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka comes into the squad in place of Binura Fernando.
Rathnayake was already selected in Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for the England tour, but he has now been added to the T20I group as well. His inclusion gives the team another batting option as the selectors adjust to the loss of their regular white-ball captain.
Madushanka, meanwhile, adds another left-arm pace option to the T20I attack. His call-up changes the bowling combination available to the captain and coaching staff, particularly with Binura Fernando unavailable.
The latest Sri Lanka T20I squad therefore includes a mixture of established players and replacements as the team prepares for three matches against England.
Charith Asalanka takes over as captain
With Mendis unavailable, Charith Asalanka will lead Sri Lanka in the T20I series against England.
Asalanka was originally appointed vice-captain for the England white-ball tour. His promotion to captain gives Sri Lanka continuity in leadership while also placing additional responsibility on one of the team’s senior white-ball players.
The updated squad features Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka alongside captain Asalanka.
This gives Sri Lanka a balanced group containing batting depth, all-round options, spin and several pace-bowling choices.
What the squad changes mean for Sri Lanka
The latest Sri Lanka T20I squad update forces the team management to reconsider both its batting order and bowling combinations.
Mendis’ absence removes an experienced batter from the original selection and also takes the appointed captain out of the T20I lineup. The team will now have to establish a new leadership structure under Asalanka while determining how Rathnayake fits into the batting combination.
The bowling attack also receives a different look. Madushanka’s arrival provides another left-arm pace option, while Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga and Nuwan Thushara remain available. The presence of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana also gives Sri Lanka multiple spin and all-round options.
Rather than simply replacing players on a like-for-like basis, the changes give the selectors an opportunity to reassess the best combination for English conditions.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s official announcement confirms that both Mendis and Fernando are still undergoing rehabilitation following their respective injuries. Sri Lanka Cricket’s official squad update
England T20I series schedule
The three-match series will begin at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton on September 15. The second T20I will be played at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on September 17, before the series concludes at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on September 19.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | September 15 | Southampton |
| 2nd T20I | September 17 | Cardiff |
| 3rd T20I | September 19 | Manchester |
The England and Wales Cricket Board has officially listed all three matches as part of the 2026 Vitality IT20 series. ECB 2026 international schedule
The T20Is will be followed by three ODIs between the sides, beginning in Durham on September 22.
A test of Sri Lanka’s squad depth
The latest Sri Lanka T20I squad changes provide an early test of the team’s depth ahead of the England series.
The absence of Mendis means Asalanka must immediately take on the captaincy, while Rathnayake gets another opportunity to strengthen the batting group. Madushanka’s addition similarly gives the bowling unit another option as Sri Lanka prepare for three matches in quick succession.
The changes also underline the importance of player fitness during a busy international calendar. Both Mendis and Fernando were originally selected for the T20I squad, but their rehabilitation timelines have prevented them from taking part.
For Sri Lanka, the immediate priority will be to settle the playing combination before the first T20I in Southampton. The team will need to balance batting resources, all-round options and pace and spin combinations while adapting to the absence of two originally selected players.
Sri Lanka T20I squad: What to expect against England
The updated Sri Lanka T20I squad heads into the England series with a different leadership structure and two replacement players.
Asalanka’s captaincy will be one of the central talking points, while Rathnayake and Madushanka will be looking to make the most of their inclusion. With the first T20I still several days away, Sri Lanka have time to integrate the replacements and finalise their plans.
The series will also provide an opportunity to assess how effectively Sri Lanka can adapt when important players become unavailable shortly before an international assignment.
For England, the opening match in Southampton will offer the chance to test Sri Lanka’s reshaped combination from the outset. For the visitors, the objective will be to turn an unexpected squad setback into an opportunity for other members of the group to step forward.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando out of the England T20I series?
Ans. Kusal Mendis is recovering from a right hamstring injury, while Binura Fernando is rehabilitating from a back injury sustained during the Lanka Premier League 2026.
2. Who replaced Kusal Mendis in Sri Lanka’s T20I squad?
Ans. Pavan Rathnayake has been called up as Mendis’ replacement for the T20I series against England.
3. Who replaced Binura Fernando for the England T20Is?
Ans. Dilshan Madushanka has been added to the squad in place of Binura Fernando.
4. Who will captain Sri Lanka against England in the T20I series?
Ans. Charith Asalanka will captain Sri Lanka in the three-match T20I series after Kusal Mendis was ruled out.
5. When does the England vs Sri Lanka T20I series start?
Ans. The first T20I is scheduled for September 15, 2026, at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton. The next matches are scheduled for September 17 in Cardiff and September 19 in Manchester.
