T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka Preview: Lankan Lions Look To End Title-Drought On Home Soil

Sri Lanka Preview T20 World Cup 2026: 

Co-hosts and former champions Sri Lanka will look to end a 12-year wait for the ICC T20 World Cup trophy when the 2026 edition of the showpiece gets underway on familiar territory, nevertheless.

Dasun Shanaka will lead the Lankan Lions into battle in their own backyard with a lot of hopes laid on their bowling unit, headlined by Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesha Pathirana. Their willow-wielders, led by Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka will have to produce strong showing in front of the cricket-crazy fans on home soil.

The Lankan Lions, who clinched the title in the 2014 edition, are grouped alongside Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman in Group B in the upcoming iteration of the T20 spectacle,

and will hope to banish the demons of the previous T20WC Campaign in the Caribbean, where they bowed out in the Group Stages following defeats at the hands of South Africa and Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka will open their campaign at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo against Ireland, before travelling to Kandy to take on Oman and Australia at the Pallakele International Cricket Stadium. The Lankan Lions will finish their Group assignments at the Colombo against Zimbabwe.

How Sri Lanka Has Fared At T20 World Cups:

2007 T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka reached the Super 8s.

2009 T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka reached the final, before losing to Pakistan.

20010 T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka reached the semi-finals.

2012 T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka reached the final, before losing to the West Indies.

2014 T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka reached won their maiden T20 title with their win over India.

2016 T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka reached the Super 10s.

2021 T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka reached the Super 12s.

2022 T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka reached the Super 12s.

2024T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka were ousted in the Group Stages.

Sri Lanka Full Squad 

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga

Sri Lanka Strongest Playing XI For T20 World Cup 2026:

Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana

Sri Lanka Full Schedule For T20 World Cup 2026

Sri Lanka vs Ireland: Feb 8, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Sri Lanka vs Oman: Feb 12, Pallakele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

Sri Lanka vs Australia: Feb 16, Pallakele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe: Feb 19, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Sri Lanka Team Prediction For T20 World Cup 2026

Bets on Sri Lanka finishing top-two in their group are poised favourable, and the hosts, who are aware of the playing conditions like second nature could cause a stir if they play their cards right and the stars align.