T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka & New Zealand Suffer Early Injury Setbacks
The 2026 T20 World Cup has seen early injury blows, with Sri Lanka and New Zealand losing key allrounders just three days into the tournament.
Sri Lanka have been hit hard with Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out due to a hamstring injury. New Zealand have also suffered a setback, with Michael Bracewell sidelined for the rest of the competition.
Massive Blow for Hosts Sri Lanka
Wanindu Hasaranga suffered the injury during Sri Lanka’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo on February 8.
He completed his full spell and returned figures of 3 for 25 in 4 overs, helping derail Ireland’s chase of 164. However, he complained of discomfort after the game.
An MRI scan on Monday revealed a serious tear in his left hamstring. The report was reviewed by a specialist in the UK before he was officially ruled out on February 10.
The injury is linked to a previous hamstring issue, though it is not a direct recurrence. The former Lankan captain has battled multiple injuries in recent years, including a foot problem.
The ICC has approved Dushan Hemantha as Hasaranga’s replacement. The 31-year-old leg-spin allrounder has played 3 T20Is, taking 4 wickets at an economy rate of 7.85.
Sri Lanka may include him straight into the playing XI. Apart from the spinners who featured against Ireland, the squad has no other specialist spin options in reserve.
Hasaranga’s absence is a major setback as he is Sri Lanka’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is and has taken 40 wickets in T20 World Cups, at an economy rate of 6.01 across 20 innings.
Injury Ends Bracewell’s T20 World Cup Campaign
New Zealand allrounder Michael Bracewell has also been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup after re-injuring his left calf. Bracewell is expected to be sidelined for nearly three weeks.
Off-spinning allrounder Cole McConchie will join the squad in India as a travelling reserve, along with fast bowler Ben Sears.
Bracewell first suffered the calf injury during the third ODI against India last month. He scored 28 not out in that match but did not field. He became the first New Zealand captain to win a men’s ODI series in India, but was later ruled out of the following 5-match T20I series.
According to a New Zealand Cricket release, Bracewell “rehabilitated the calf tear but re-injured the muscle during warm-ups on Sunday.”
McConchie has played 12 T20Is, taking 7 wickets at an economy rate of 7.29. He has also featured in 6 ODIs. The Canterbury captain was the leading wicket-taker in last month’s Super Smash, claiming 14 wickets at 7.71 economy.
Bracewell also missed the 2023 ODI World Cup in India after rupturing his right Achilles, which required surgery. Hasaranga, too, missed that tournament following surgery on his right hamstring.
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