Kusal Mendis ruled out of LPL 2026 with hamstring injury before India Tests
Synopsis
Sri Lanka's white-ball captain Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of LPL 2026 with a right hamstring injury suffered on 19 July — less than a month before he was set to play a pivotal role in the two-match Test series against India starting 15 August. With no recovery timeline confirmed, Sri Lanka face a genuine selection headache at a critical juncture in the ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Key Takeaways
Kusal Mendis sustained a right hamstring injury on 19 July during Colombo Kaps' LPL match against Kandy Royals at the SSC, Colombo .
He has been ruled out of the remainder of LPL 2026 and will undergo rehabilitation at the National High Performance Centre .
Sri Lanka host India in a two-match Test series beginning 15 August at Galle , part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
SLC has not confirmed a recovery timeline, leaving Mendis' Test availability uncertain.
Mendis had scored 550 runs in 11 PSL innings at a strike rate of 168.19 and 408 T20I runs in 2026 before the injury.
Sri Lanka white-ball captain Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the remainder of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 after sustaining a right hamstring injury, casting doubt over his availability for the high-stakes two-match Test series against India beginning 15 August. The setback is a significant blow to Sri Lanka's preparations with less than a month to go before the series gets underway.
How the Injury Happened
Mendis picked up the injury while attempting a run during Colombo Kaps' six-wicket victory over Kandy Royals at the SSC, Colombo on 19 July. The wicketkeeper-batter, who was captaining Colombo Kaps this season, will now return to the National High Performance Centre to begin a rehabilitation programme under Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) medical team.
'Mendis sustained a right hamstring injury while attempting a run during the Colombo Kaps' match against the Kandy Royals on 19 July at the SSC, Colombo. Accordingly, he will return to the National High Performance Centre to commence his rehabilitation program,' an SLC media release stated.
What It Means for the India Test Series
Sri Lanka host India in a two-match Test series starting 15 August at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, before the second Test moves to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo. The series is part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. SLC has not specified a recovery timeline, leaving Mendis' participation uncertain. His absence behind the stumps would be particularly costly, given his dual role as wicketkeeper and an anchor in the batting order.
Mendis' Form Before the Injury
The timing is especially unfortunate given Mendis' outstanding run of form across all formats in 2026. He had opened his LPL campaign with a fluent 79 off 53 deliveries against Galle Gallants and arrived at the tournament off the back of a stellar Pakistan Super League season, where he amassed 550 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 168.19.
In international cricket this year, Mendis has been equally prolific. He has scored 408 runs from 14 T20I innings at a strike rate of 130.35, and in ODIs has accumulated 211 runs in four innings at an average of 70.33 — numbers that underline just how central he is to Sri Lanka's batting plans heading into the India series.
Broader Impact on Sri Lanka's Preparations
Hamstring injuries typically require a minimum of two to four weeks of rehabilitation depending on severity, meaning Mendis faces a race against time. This is not the first time Sri Lanka have entered a major series with injury concerns at key positions, and the medical team's assessment over the coming days will be closely watched. The India series carries significant World Test Championship points, adding further urgency to the situation.
Sri Lanka Cricket is expected to provide an updated fitness report in the days ahead as the squad takes shape for what promises to be a competitive home series.
Point of View
And losing him as wicketkeeper compounds the problem. Sri Lanka's Test middle order has historically struggled against quality Indian pace on home surfaces, and Mendis' presence behind the stumps is as valuable as his runs. The absence of a confirmed recovery timeline from SLC is telling: it suggests the medical team is being cautious, which rarely points to a quick return. If he misses Galle, Sri Lanka lose both their most dangerous batter and their first-choice keeper at the start of a WTC cycle that demands points from home series.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury did Kusal Mendis sustain?
Kusal Mendis sustained a right hamstring injury while attempting a run during Colombo Kaps' LPL 2026 match against Kandy Royals on 19 July at the SSC in Colombo. He has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament and will begin rehabilitation at Sri Lanka's National High Performance Centre.
Is Kusal Mendis fit for the India Test series?
His availability for the two-match Test series against India, starting 15 August 2026, is uncertain. Sri Lanka Cricket has not specified a recovery timeline, making it unclear whether he will be fit in time for the Galle Test.
Where will the Sri Lanka vs India Test series be played?
The two-match series begins on 15 August at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, with the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The series is part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.
What was Kusal Mendis' form like before the injury?
Mendis was in exceptional form in 2026, scoring 550 runs in 11 PSL innings at a strike rate of 168.19, followed by 408 T20I runs from 14 innings and 211 ODI runs in four innings at an average of 70.33 for Sri Lanka.
Who is Kusal Mendis?
Kusal Mendis is Sri Lanka's white-ball captain and first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. He is one of the country's most experienced and in-form players across formats, making his fitness a priority concern for Sri Lanka Cricket ahead of the India series.
