New Delhi, July 22: The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 has dealt a significant blow to the Colombo Caps. Team captain and star wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the tournament due to a right hamstring injury. Kamindu Mendis has been appointed as the new captain, as confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket.
Kusal Mendis sustained the injury during a match against the Candy Royals. While attempting to take a run at the SSC ground in Colombo, he experienced discomfort in his right hamstring. Subsequent medical examinations confirmed the injury, leading to his exclusion from the remaining matches of the tournament.
In an official statement, Sri Lanka Cricket announced, “Kusal Mendis will return to the National High Performance Centre to begin his rehabilitation program. Currently, there is no timeline for the severity of his injury or when he will return to the field.”
This injury is not only a setback for the Colombo Caps but also poses a significant concern for the Sri Lankan national team. Sri Lanka is scheduled to play a two-match home Test series against India starting August 15. Mendis is one of the most experienced players on the team and serves as a wicketkeeper-batsman, making his fitness a critical issue for the national squad.
Kusal Mendis has been in exceptional form recently. In the first match of the LPL, he scored a powerful 79 runs off 53 balls against the Galle Gladiators. Prior to this, he also excelled in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), amassing 550 runs in 11 innings.
His performance for the Sri Lankan cricket team has been impressive as well. In 14 T20 matches this year, he has scored 408 runs, and in four One Day Internationals, he has made 211 runs.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board and team management will hope for his full recovery before the upcoming series against India.
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