Dark horses. That’s how Sri Lanka is looked upon as a contender for the T20 World Cup 2026. The Islanders don’t carry the same punch they did in the late 2000s and early 2010s. But they are playing in their backyard. That can’t be ignored.
At home, Sri Lanka’s spin battery comes into the game. The strike rate issue their batters may have on true batting surfaces can be negated on pitches where chasing even 130 might be a tall task.
Top-order set
Sri Lanka has handed the captaincy back to Dasun Shanaka for the T20 World Cup. The team’s made a slight top-order switch as well. Kusal Mendis has been slotted down one spot, to number three, with left-handed batter Kamil Mishara opening with Pathum Nissanka. This gives Sri Lanka the right-left combination up top.
Middle order weak?
However, there is a middle-order issue. Charith Asalanka’s performance hasn’t been great. Janith Liyanage and Pavan Rathnayake haven’t made great cases either. Sri Lanka has dropped Dhananjaya de Silva and brought Kamindu Mendis in. That helps them a bit.
The co-hosts, Sri Lanka, have named their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026! #DasunShanaka #T20WorldCup #SriLanka #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/NMvkqy9xWf
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) February 1, 2026Considering Asalanka is more than a handy spinner at home, he’s playing over Liyanage and Rathnayake. He’s also someone who has done well under pressure and rescued Sri Lanka from trouble. Mendis hasn’t figured out his T20 game, but has immense talent and also bowls left-arm spin.
Variety in bowling
Sri Lanka has the luxury of having 3 all-rounders. Shanaka will be their finisher and third pacer. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana will be the frontline spinners, a leg spinner and mystery finger spinner, while Dunith Wellalage will be the third spinner.
The two pacers they will have are Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana. Eshan Malinga could’ve started, but he’s injured at the moment. The slingy pacer is expected to recover, but Chameera and Pathirana did well against England recently.
Predicted Sri Lanka Playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha PathiranaBench: Kusal Perera (wk), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Eshan Malinga
Predicted Sri Lanka Playing XI for T20 World Cup: Will Kamindu Mendis’ inclusion bolster middle order? Inside Sport India.
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