Matheesha Pathirana Withdrawn from T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
Sri Lanka’s campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 suffered a significant personnel setback on Monday as fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana was officially ruled out of the tournament due to a Grade 2 muscle strain. The International Cricket Council (ICC) Event Technical Committee has approved left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka as his replacement in the 15-man squad.
Injury Incident in Pallekele
The injury occurred during Sri Lanka’s Group B fixture against Australia in Pallekele. Pathirana, spearheading the attack, delivered only three balls in his opening spell against Australian captain Mitchell Marsh before pulling up in visible distress. The right-arm quick immediately clutched his left leg and required assistance to leave the field.
All-rounder Dasun Shanaka completed the remaining deliveries of the unfinished over. Despite the loss of their strike bowler, Sri Lanka secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over the visitors. Subsequent medical scans confirmed a significant muscle strain, rendering Pathirana unavailable for the remainder of the competition.
Pathirana had previously featured in Sri Lanka’s group stage matches against Ireland and Oman. His replacement, Dilshan Madushanka, enters the squad immediately and is available for selection in the upcoming Super 8 stage fixtures.
Impact on Kolkata Knight Riders and IPL 2026
The injury raises serious concerns for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season. The franchise secured Pathirana for a record INR 18 crore at the recent auction, designating him as their primary death-overs specialist.
KKR’s pace reserves are already depleted following the release of Mustafizur Rahman and ongoing availability doubts surrounding Harshit Rana. Pathirana’s recovery timeline will determine his participation in the league, potentially forcing the franchise to seek an emergency replacement.
| Player | Status | Replacement/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Matheesha Pathirana | Ruled Out (Muscle Strain) | Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka) |
| Harshit Rana | Doubtful | KKR Pace Depth Reduced |
| Mustafizur Rahman | Released | N/A |
Official Statements
The ICC confirmed the squad adjustment in a formal press release: “The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Dilshan Madushanka as a replacement for Matheesha Pathirana in the Sri Lanka squad.”
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has not yet specified a rehabilitation timeline, though typical Grade 2 strains require four to six weeks for full recovery.
For official tournament schedules and squad updates, visit the International Cricket Council or BCCI.