Gimhani Exits T20 World Cup, Vimukthi Comes In as Replacement

Shashini Gimhani, Sri Lanka’s 17-year-old ambidextrous wrist-spinner, has been ruled out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 due to a lower-back injury sustained in training. She couldn’t travel with the squad to England and misses the entire tournament.

Vimukthi is yet to play T20Is for Sri Lanka, although she has played three ODIs, all against New Zealand in March 2025. She was part of the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament earlier this year, playing one T20 for Sri Lanka A in that campaign.

The 15-member Sri Lanka squad left for the UK on June 2, and will be captained by Chamari Athapaththu, who will feature in her tenth T20 World Cup.

Chethana Vimukthi, uncapped right-arm seamer, has been called up as Gimhani’s replacement. Vimukthi hasn’t played T20Is yet but has 3 ODI caps for Sri Lanka, all against New Zealand in March 2025.

Gimhani had played 7 WT20Is, taking 6 wickets at 21.16 average, 7.05 economy. She was also part of Sri Lanka’s ODI squad earlier this year.

They play the opening game of the tournament against England at Edgbaston on June 12, followed by fixtures against New Zealand in Southampton (June 16), West Indies in Bristol (June 21), Ireland also in Bristol (June 23), and Scotland in Manchester (June 26).

The 15-member squad, led by Chamari Athapaththu, left for England on June 2.Sri Lanka open the tournament vs hosts England at Edgbaston on June 12.Warm-up games: vs Pakistan on June 6, vs Netherlands on June 9.Bottom line: Sri Lanka lose key spinner Gimhani to a back injury ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Uncapped seamer Chethana Vimukthi replaces her in the squad as Sri Lanka kick off against England on June 12.

Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Chethana Vimukthi.