Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup preparations have taken a sharp turn with Dhananjaya de Silva dropped from the squad after another underwhelming display with the bat. The selectors have moved quickly, recalling Kamindu Mendis as the pressure builds ahead of the global tournament.

De Silva’s return to the T20 side was meant to be a chance to re-establish his value in the shortest format. Instead, it highlighted his struggles. In the opening T20I against England, he managed just 11 off 12 balls in an 11-run defeat, failing to provide fluency or control at a crucial stage of the innings.

With the World Cup looming, consistency and impact have become non-negotiable. De Silva’s omission effectively dents his immediate World Cup ambitions.

Kamindu Mendis, however, has been handed a lifeline. Previously dropped from the ongoing England series, his recall signals renewed confidence in his versatility and temperament. The left-hander’s ability to bat in multiple positions and remain calm under pressure is seen as valuable in tournament conditions.