Asalanka Takes Over as Sri Lanka T20I Captain With Mendis Injured
Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando miss Sri Lanka’s England tour through injury, with Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka called up.
By SportCricket Desk · 4 Sep 2026 · 2 min read
Sri Lanka will go into their T20I series in England without Kusal Mendis, so Charith Asalanka will captain the side. Mendis picked up a hamstring problem during the 2026 Lanka Premier League, and the series starts on September 15.
Left-arm seamer Binura Fernando is also out of the tour after a back injury sustained in the same tournament. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed both absences in a media release on September 4.
The replacements
Pavan Rathnayake has been called up for Mendis, while Dilshan Madushanka comes in for Fernando, keeping another left-arm pace option in the group. Mendis could return for the ODI part of the tour, depending on how his recovery goes. No recovery timelines have been given for either player.
Because the tour begins so soon after the Lanka Premier League ended, selectors have had little time to rearrange the squad before the opening T20I.
Tour schedule
- First T20I: Southampton, September 15
- Second T20I: Cardiff, September 17
- Third T20I: Manchester, September 19
- ODI series: September 22 to 27
Asalanka will lead in all three T20Is. Sri Lanka will hope he can steer the side well in Mendis’ absence and give the tour a positive start.
