Mendis and Fernando Ruled Out; Asalanka to Lead Sri Lanka in England T20Is

Sri Lanka’s tour of England has been dealt a significant blow, with captain Kusal Mendis and fast bowler Binura Fernando both ruled out of the three-match T20I series due to ongoing rehabilitation from injuries sustained during the 2026 Lanka Premier League.

The update from Sri Lanka Cricket came just over a day after the pair were named in the original 16-member touring party. Mendis, who was retained as captain of both the T20I and ODI sides, has been sidelined since July 19 with a right hamstring injury. Fernando, meanwhile, has not played since August 5 due to a back complaint.

With Mendis unavailable, Charith Asalanka will take over the captaincy for the T20I series. Asalanka’s elevation marks a notable return to the leadership group, having been deposed as ODI captain three months ago and sidelined from the T20I unit six months prior. He last played a T20I in February, though he is currently featuring for St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League, where he has managed 93 runs at a strike rate of 124 from six innings.

Pavan Rathnayake, a 24-year-old top-order batter, has been drafted into the squad as Mendis’s replacement. Dilshan Madushanka, the fast bowler who was part of Sri Lanka’s Test squad for the recent series against India but did not feature, has come in for Fernando.

Should Mendis also be unavailable for the ODI series that follows, Asalanka, as designated vice-captain, would be the likely candidate to lead the side in that format as well.

The T20I series is scheduled to begin on September 15 in Southampton, with further matches in Cardiff on September 17 and Manchester on September 19. The ODIs will follow at Chester-le-Street (September 22), Leeds (September 24) and The Oval (September 27).

                                               

Relevant news