Note: This reflects the preliminary 25-man group and the predicted 15. The final squad deadline is January 31, 2026. Stay tuned for live updates.
Big changes are happening in SLC right now. The board announced their 25-member preliminary squad back on December 19, 2025. Dasun Shanaka takes over as captain for the home tournament.
The Sri Lanka squad for T20 World Cup 2026 brings back familiar faces mostly. They’ve kept 13 players from the 2024 World Cup edition. The selectors clearly value experience and continuity here.
This tournament means everything for them. They’re co-hosting the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 with India starting February 7. Home advantage could prove massive for the island nation.
Captaincy Switch Creates Buzz
Charith Asalanka lost the captain’s job surprisingly. His recent batting form has been absolutely terrible. Chairman of selectors Pramodaya Wickramasingha made this tough call.
Wickramasingha returned to his role recently and acted quickly. He felt Asalanka needed relief from captaincy pressure immediately. The Sri Lanka squad needed fresh leadership before the crucial home series.
Shanaka brings three World Cups’ worth of experience to this role. He was the captain when Wickramasingha served as a selector before. That familiarity between them should help team dynamics.
Charith Asalanka’s Difficult Period
Asalanka stays in the Sri Lanka squad as a pure batter. The selectors still believe in his long-term potential. They hope removing the captaincy burden helps him rediscover batting form.
His situation got complicated during the Pakistan tour last November. A suicide bomb explosion in Islamabad killed nine people tragically. Asalanka left the white-ball tour midway citing safety concerns.
That incident shook many players mentally and emotionally. Coming back from such experiences takes time obviously. The Players list still includes him with full support.
Strong Core Remains Intact
The team features proven white-ball stars throughout the lineup. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Kusal Perera anchor the batting. Former skipper Asalanka adds depth to middle-order options.
Niroshan Dickwella makes his return to international cricket here. He can open, keep wickets, or bat in the middle order. That versatility makes him valuable for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Head coach Sanath Jayasuriya worked closely with selectors on this list. They decided against making drastic changes to team composition. Stability matters more than experiments right now.
Sri Lanka Preliminary Squad:
Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew
Home Tournament Expectations
Sri Lanka lands in a tricky group alongside quality teams. Australia, Ireland, Oman, and Zimbabwe share a group with them. Australia will be their toughest challenge obviously.
Playing at home brings massive pressure and expectations together. Lankan fans expect nothing less than the semifinals. The T20 World Cup 2026 could define careers for many players.
The preliminary 25-member team gives selectors flexibility for final selections. They’ll fine-tune combinations over the coming weeks. February 7 marks the beginning of the 2026 World Cup journey.
Key Players to Watch
For Sri Lanka to go deep into the tournament and possibly lift the trophy for the first time since 2014, these four players will be crucial:
1. Wanindu Hasaranga (The X-Factor)
Hasaranga remains the heartbeat of the Squad. Whether it is squeezing the run rate in the middle overs or finishing games with the bat, his performance will dictate the team’s momentum.
2. Matheesha Pathirana (The Death Specialist)
Known as “Baby Malinga,” Pathirana’s ability to nail yorkers at 145 clicks makes him a nightmare for opponents. In the tight finishes of the T20 World Cup 2026, he will be the go-to man for Shanaka.
3. Pathum Nissanka (The Anchor)
Nissanka has been the most consistent run-getter for the Lions lately. His job will be to bat deep and allow the power-hitters like Kusal Perera and Shanaka to explode at the end.
4. Kamindu Mendis (The Ambidextrous Marvel)
With his unique ability to bowl with both arms and his incredible form with the bat, Kamindu adds a layer of flexibility that few other teams in the world possess.
Group Stage: The Road to the Super 8s
Being in Group B, the Sri Lanka Squad faces a challenging but manageable path. They will need to finish in the top two of their group to qualify for the Super 8 stage.
- Feb 8: vs Ireland (Colombo)
- Feb 12: vs Oman (Pallekele)
- Feb 16: vs Australia (Pallekele)
- Feb 19: vs Zimbabwe (Colombo)
The clash against Australia on February 16 is already being touted as the “Group Decider,” and tickets for the Pallekele International Stadium are expected to be sold out within minutes.
Why This Squad Can Win
The biggest advantage for this Squad is, of course, the home conditions. The pitches in Sri Lanka are known to grip and turn, which plays right into the hands of a spin-heavy attack featuring Hasaranga, Theekshana, and Wellalage.
Under the mentorship of Sanath Jayasuriya, the batting unit has also adopted a more fearless “slingshot” approach. If the top order can provide a platform, the lower-order depth—with all-rounders right down to number 9—makes them a very dangerous side.
FAQs
Q1: Which teams are in Sri Lanka’s group for the T20 World Cup 2026?
A: Sri Lanka is placed in Group B. They will face Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman during the group stage of the tournament.
Q2: Who is the captain of the Sri Lanka Squad for the T20 World Cup 2026?
A: Dasun Shanaka has been reinstated as the captain of the Sri Lanka T20I team for the 2026 World Cup. After a period of transition, the selectors opted for his veteran leadership and experience in home conditions.
Q3: Who are the key spin bowlers in the Sri Lanka Squad?
A: The squad features a world-class spin attack led by Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and the young sensation Dunith Wellalage. Their “mystery spin” is expected to be a major advantage on the turning tracks of the island nation.
