Skipper Kusal Mendis and paceman Binura Fernando will miss the upcoming T20I series against England, as both players are still undergoing rehabilitation following injuries sustained during the Lanka Premier League 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed yesterday.

Mendis suffered a right hamstring injury, while Fernando sustained a back injury.Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Panel has made two changes to the T20I squad, naming Pavan Rathnayake as the replacement for Kusal Mendis and Dilshan Madushanka as the replacement for Binura Fernando. Both Rathnayake and Madushanka have already been named in the ODI squad.Meanwhile, vice-captain Charith Asalanka will lead the team in the T20I series in the absence of Kusal Mendis.

The Sri Lanka T20I team will leave for England today.

The Sri Lanka T20I team will play two warm-up games against the England Lions on September 11 and 13 at Beckenham before playing their first T20I against England in Southampton on September 15.