Kamindu back in WC frame; DDS, Madushan laid off
Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup preparations took another late twist on Friday night as selectors made last-minute changes to the squad before the deadline, leaving Dhananjaya de Silva and Pramod Madushan out in two decisions that underlines the uncertainty surrounding the side on the eve of the tournament.Madushan’s omission, while officially confirmed only at the eleventh hour, was largely expected. The right-arm seamer had been included in the ongoing England series purely as injury cover for Dushmantha Chameera and was never considered a certainty for the World Cup. The more significant call, however, was the exclusion of Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka’s Test captain and one of the most experienced figures in the national set-up.
Dhananjaya’s return to limited-overs cricket after an absence of more than 18 months was meant to add stability and maturity to a fragile middle order. Instead, his performances failed to convince. The selectors’ patience finally wore thin after his inability to build on a promising start against England in the opening T20I in Pallekele, where Sri Lanka’s top order laid a solid platform. Dhananjaya managed just 11 off 12 deliveries, an innings that stalled momentum at a critical juncture and reinforced doubts over his suitability in the shortest format.
With Dhananjaya missing out, Kamindu Mendis has been handed an unexpected lifeline. The left-hander, who was initially set to be omitted from the World Cup squad and is not part of the England series, has been recalled as selectors look for balance and versatility in the middle order.
Sri Lanka are also set to turn back to Kusal Janith Perera for the remainder of the current series, hoping the veteran batter can once again shoulder responsibility and bring clarity to a middle order that has struggled for cohesion. It is a familiar move, rooted as much in hope as in necessity, as Sri Lanka continue to search for reliable solutions.
Maheesh Theekshana, despite a prolonged lean run, has retained the selectors’ backing, suggesting faith in his tactical value and ability to rediscover form under pressure.
While rival teams are using the final days to fine-tune combinations and sharpen roles ahead of the tournament, which begins next Saturday in Colombo, Sri Lanka remain in the process of defining their best XI. Collective failure, rather than isolated poor performances, has been a recurring theme, and the late reshuffle only highlights lingering uncertainty.
| Probable Sri Lanka T20 World Cup squad | |
 1. Dasun Shanaka (Captain)2. Pathum Nissanka 3. Kamil Mishara 4. Kusal Mendis (WK) 5. Kusal Janith Perera 6. Kamindu Mendis 7. Charith Asalanka 8. Janith Liyanage 9. Pavan Rathnayake 10. Wanindu Hasaranga 11. Dunith Wellalage 12. Maheesh Theekshana 13. Dushmantha Chameera 14. Matheesha Pathirana 15. Eshan Malinga |