After Kusal Mendis was sidelined for the rest of the Lanka Premier League 2026 season with a right hamstring injury, Kamindu Mendis took over as captain of the Colombo Kaps.
On Sunday, July 19, Kusal was injured while playing against the Kandy Royals at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. Following a medical examination, he was forced to abandon the game during the chase.
The injury was a severe setback for both the Sri Lankan national team and the Colombo Kaps. Prior to the loss, Kusal had scored 79 off 53 balls in his debut LPL encounter against Galle Gallants.
The wicketkeeper-batsman is currently recovering at the National High Performance Centre under Sri Lanka Cricket’s supervision after medical tests revealed he will be unable to play in any future league games.
Kamindu, a 27-year-old batting all-rounder, now takes on leadership responsibilities as the team navigates the crucial league stages ahead. On July 19, [Kusal] Mendis sustained a right hamstring injury while attempting a run during the Colombo Kaps’ match against the Kandy Royals at the SSC in Colombo.
As a result, he will return to the National High Performance Centre to begin his rehabilitation program,” an SLC media release stated.
Kamindu is in an undesirable situation due to timing.
The appointment complicates Sri Lanka’s preparations in terms of scheduling. Kusal contracts an injury less than a month before the country’s home Test series against India, which begins on August 15.
The first Test of the series will be held at Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19. The second Test will be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
Despite the dearth of knowledge about the timeframe of his rehabilitation, Mendis, a key contributor in all formats, was expected to keep wickets in the series against India.
How will the new captain affect the Colombo Kaps’ chances of winning a tournament?
On Thursday, July 23, the Kaps will take on the Kandy Royals at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. On August 8, 2026, the tournament’s final will be held at R. Premadasa Stadium, giving the new captain little time to establish rhythm in his new leadership role while also performing his batting responsibilities.
What the Kaps have lost is underscored by Kusal’s performance prior to injury. In addition to his outstanding LPL performance, he had previously this season scored 550 runs with a strike rate of 168.19 in 11 PSL innings.
To make a credible challenge through the league phase and into the playoffs, which begin on August 5, the team must now rely on both Kamindu’s leadership and squad depth.
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