Sri Lanka has withdrawn Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando from the upcoming T20I series in England due to ongoing rehabilitation from injuries sustained at the Lanka Premier League, with Charith Asalanka taking over the captaincy.
Sri Lanka Cricket announced that captain Kusal Mendis and fast bowler Binura Fernando have been ruled out of the T20I series against England following injuries picked up during the Lanka Premier League 2026. Mendis is recovering from a right hamstring injury sustained since July 19, while Fernando is undergoing rehabilitation for a back injury dating from August 5. The withdrawals came just over a day after both players were named in the initial 16-member squad.
Charith Asalanka has been elevated to lead the T20I side in Mendis's absence. Asalanka, who returned to the vice-captain position for the series, last featured in a T20I in February 2026 and is currently playing for St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League, where he has recorded 93 runs at a strike rate of 124 from six innings.
The selection panel has made corresponding squad adjustments, bringing in 24-year-old top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake to replace Mendis and fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka to replace Fernando. Madushanka was recently part of the squad for Tests against India but did not play in that series. While Mendis has been ruled out of the T20Is, his status for the subsequent ODI series remains uncertain; should he be unavailable for those matches, Asalanka would likely lead that squad as well.
The T20I series comprises three matches scheduled for September 15 in Southampton, September 17 in Cardiff, and September 19 in Manchester, followed by a three-match ODI series from September 22 to 27 at venues including Chester-le-Street, Leeds, and The Oval.