Sri Lanka’s bowling attack just took a big hit. Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is out of the rest of the T20 World Cup 2026. He sustained a calf strain during a match against Australia. This is a tough blow for the team as they head into the crucial Super 8 stage.
The news came from team official Vikram Rathour. He confirmed Pathirana’s unavailability. Scans showed the injury needs several weeks to heal. So, he’ll miss the Super 8s and any further matches. It changes their plans a lot.
“Slinga” Sidelined: The Injury Details and Timeline
Pathirana, often called the “Slinga” for his unique action, felt his left calf go during a group-stage match. It happened at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. He was bowling his fourth delivery of the game when he clutched his leg. He looked in pain.
He couldn’t return to the field. And that was it for his tournament. Vikram Rathour, Sri Lanka’s batting consultant, spoke about it openly. This was during a pre-match press conference ahead of their Zimbabwe game. Rathour stated,
“I think he has been declared unfit for the rest of the tournament. I think the news will come out if it’s not already. As far as replacement is concerned, I think that is still being discussed”
as ANI via Tribune India reported. This aligns across multiple outlets, giving it solid credibility even without a formal SLC or ICC release.
Pathirana’s injury is a left calf strain. Its severity means “several weeks” to heal. This prognosis points to a Grade 2 calf strain. For pace bowlers, that often means 4-8 weeks out. So, his return falls well after the World Cup wraps up on March 8. He’s had fitness issues before. He missed parts of IPL 2024 due to a back injury. But this specific calf problem is new for him.
The team hasn’t disclosed treatment plans or specialist details. No medical staff interviews have come out. But the recovery window is clear: he won’t be back for this tournament. That’s a huge factor for Sri Lanka.
Pathirana’s Void and Sri Lanka’s Injury Woes
Losing Pathirana is a massive blow for Sri Lanka. He’s arguably their best death bowler. His raw pace and deceptive slinging action make him a yorker specialist. He brings an X-factor no one else in the squad can match. Just look at his 19 IPL wickets in 2023 for Chennai Super Kings.
Sri Lanka has a history of pace bowler injuries. They often have players sidelined. Wanindu Hasaranga had recent fitness issues, too. The medical team’s track record is mixed. Sometimes quick returns, sometimes recurring problems. Pathirana’s situation just adds another chapter to this saga. It puts extra pressure on their medical staff.
His absence creates a significant void in crunch overs. Who steps up to bowl the 17th, 19th, or 20th overs? That’s where Pathirana thrives. His control and wicket-taking ability late in an innings are hard to replace. Sri Lanka needs someone to fill those shoes.
Super 8 Challenge & Replacement Hunt
Sri Lanka qualified for Super 8 Group 2. They have some tough fixtures coming up. They’ll face England on February 22 in Pallekele. Then New Zealand on February 25 in Colombo. And another TBD opponent in Pallekele. These are high-stakes games. Pathirana’s unavailability makes them even harder.
The team beat Australia by 8 wickets recently. That was a strong performance. Nissanka scored 100*, Mendis 51. Hemantha took 3 wickets, Chameera 2. But the Super 8 stage is a different beast entirely. They need all their firepower.
Discussions for a replacement are ongoing. Options include Dilshan Madushanka. He’s a left-arm quick, just back from his own fitness issues. He has a modest T20I record, though. Binura Fernando, another left-arm seamer, is also a possibility. Or Nuwan Thushara, who bowls with a similar round-arm slinging action. They might even consider a batting or spin all-rounder. The team needs to decide fast.
Tactically, Sri Lanka might shift. They used short-pitched bowling effectively against Australia. Island.lk noted they bowled 46 short balls for 41 runs and 4 wickets. They’ll rely more on Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka for death overs. Squad depth is adequate for pace. But it lacks Pathirana’s genuine match-winning potential.
Beyond the World Cup: IPL Future Doubts
Pathirana’s recovery timeline means he should be fit for IPL 2026. The league starts in late March or early April. But this latest injury, coupled with his past fitness concerns, raises questions. Chennai Super Kings might release him. They could do this before the IPL 2026 auction. IPL.com reported CSK is likely to consider this option. It’s a business decision, after all.
Teams get cautious with players who face recurring injury setbacks. Pathirana debuted for CSK in 2022. He peaked in 2023 with 19 wickets, helping them win the title. Now, his future with the franchise seems uncertain. This injury comes at a bad time for him personally. He needs to get healthy and stay healthy. That’s his main goal now.
So, the young fast bowler faces a period of rehabilitation. His focus will be on getting fit again. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, has to push on without him. The pressure’s on other bowlers now. They need to step up big time in the Super 8s. It won’t be easy without their star quarterback. Their World Cup journey just got a lot harder.
Baishali Karmakar 
Soureesh Datta 
Sagnik Banerjee