T20 World Cup History: Top Three Wicket-Takers for Sri Lanka

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is currently underway across India and Sri Lanka, running from February 7 to March 8. As one of the co-hosts, Sri Lanka entered the tournament as one of the favourites, banking on familiar conditions and a well-balanced, compact squad to make a strong impact in the tenth edition of the marquee event.

Sri Lanka are led by Dasun Shanaka and feature a squad that blends experience with youthful energy. The bowling attack, in particular, stands out as one of the team’s major strengths. The responsibilities rest on the shoulders of Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, and Matheesha Pathirana. With strong spin options and a varied pace battery, Sri Lanka will aim to win consistently in front of their home crowd and push for their second T20 World Cup title, having last lifted the trophy in 2014.

Also check: T20 World Cup History: Top 3 Highest Run-Scorers for New Zealand

Here is a look at the top three wicket-takers for Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup history:

Wanindu Hasaranga

Wanindu Hasaranga has emerged as one of the most impactful leg-spinners in modern T20 cricket. An aggressive wicket-taking bowler, Hasaranga first caught the eye during his stint with Sri Lanka’s Under-19 teams in 2015 and 2016. His performances at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, particularly in the quarter-final against England.

Hasaranga’s rapid progression through domestic cricket earned him a national call-up in 2017, where he made history by becoming only the third bowler in ODI cricket to claim a hat-trick on debut. Since then, he has developed into a vital cog in Sri Lanka’s white-ball setup. In T20Is, Hasaranga has taken 154 wickets in 95 matches. His impact in T20 World Cups has been equally significant, with 40 wickets in just 20 games, making him Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker in the competition.

Lasith Malinga

Lasith Malinga remains one of the most iconic fast bowlers in T20 cricket history. He is known for his unmistakable round-arm action and terrorised batters with his searing yorkers, deceptive slower balls, and well-directed bouncers. Despite knowing what was coming, batters often found it impossible to counter his precision at the death.

Malinga became only the third Sri Lankan bowler to cross the 100-wicket mark in international cricket. While he famously took four wickets in four balls against South Africa in an ODI World Cup, his impact in the T20 format was equally profound. His incisive spell in the final of the 2014 T20 World Cup against India played a crucial role in Sri Lanka lifting the trophy. He also finished his IPL career as the tournament’s all-time leading wicket-taker with 170 wickets. Overall, Malinga claimed 107 wickets in 84 T20Is and took 38 wickets in 31 T20 World Cup matches.

Ajantha Mendis

Ajantha Mendis brought mystery back into spin bowling during an era dominated by power-hitting. His finger-flicked leg breaks and carrom balls left even the best batters baffled. Some of his earliest and most notable victims included Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly.

Mendis announced himself on the world stage with a sensational six-wicket haul in the 2008 Asia Cup final against India and followed it up with an impressive Test debut. Although his effectiveness declined over time, he enjoyed a remarkable run in the 2012 T20 World Cup. During the tournament, Mendis recorded the best bowling figures in T20 World Cup history (6 for 8 against Zimbabwe) and finished as the leading wicket-taker as Sri Lanka reached the final. In his T20I career, he took 66 wickets in 39 matches, while in T20 World Cups he claimed 35 wickets in 21 games.

Sri Lanka squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

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, Pramod Madushan

Sri Lanka schedule for T20 World Cup 2026:

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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