Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Update: Pramod Madushan called up after Malinga injury

Sri Lanka have been dealt a major blow ahead of their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign as Eshan Malinga has been ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. The 25-year-old dislocated his shoulder during the second T20I of the recent series against England, but was still named in the World Cup squad, with management hopeful that he would regain fitness in time.

However, just a day ahead of the event, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced Pramod Madushan as his replacement. Malinga had become an integral part of Sri Lanka’s pace attack, following his impressive debut stint in the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

The right-arm speedster scalped 13 wickets from just seven innings at an average of 18.30 and an economy of 8.92. In the eight T20Is, Malinga has snaffled as many wickets, averaging 26.87 and having an economy of 9.41.

His replacement, Pramod Madushan, has sporadic appearances in ODIs over the past two years, but last played T20Is back in April 2023 against New Zealand.

He made his T20I debut against Pakistan in 2022 and has played eight matches in his career so far. Madushan has taken 12 wickets for his country at an average of 18.83 and has leaked runs at an economy of 8.63.

His last T20 cricket assignment was the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in November 2025, where he played two matches. In the first fixture against Bangladesh A, he returned figures of 0/31 in four overs and later bowled a magnificent spell against Pakistan Shaheens, scalping 4/29 in his four overs.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are placed with Oman, Zimbabwe, Australia, and Ireland in Group B of the T20 World Cup 2026 and will begin their campaign against Ireland on February 8 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka's updated squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan