In a sudden development, in the middle of the IPL 2026, some of the Sri Lankan players have returned to Sri Lanka. Last night, the Lankan players, who were involved in the Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (MI vs SRH) at the Wankhede Stadium, returned to their nation.
But why did they take the return flight all of a sudden? According to the latest updates, there is nothing to worry about, as they will be back again for the IPL 2026 season right after completing the process related to their visas.
Why did the Sri Lankan players of SRH return home in the middle of IPL 2026?
Danuska Aravinda, a journalist from Sri Lanka, takes the incident into the light through a couple of X posts. Aravinda claims that Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, and Kamindu Mendis, the three Sri Lankan players who are representing the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), have returned only to complete their biometrics as part of the visa process required for the upcoming tour of the West Indies.
“Sri Lankan cricketers Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, and Kamindu Mendis, who are representing SRH in the IPL, arrived in Sri Lanka early this morning,” Aravinda informs.
“They have returned to complete their biometrics as part of the visa process required for the upcoming tour of the West Indies. The three players are scheduled to depart for India tomorrow to participate in the remaining IPL matches,” he added.
They have returned to complete their biometrics as part of the visa process required for the upcoming tour of the West Indies.
The three players are scheduled to depart back to India tomorrow to participate in the remaining IPL matches. https://t.co/IOpammylEy
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) April 30, 2026
Eshan Malinga was the best bowler for SRH against MI in Mumbai
Eshan Malinga, a Sri Lankan pacer, has cemented his place as a regular player in the playing combination of SRH. During their match against the Mumbai Indians, the seamer was the most successful bowler for the team over the other star bowlers like the captain Pat Cummins and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Eshan took the crucial wicket of Suryakumar Yadav. He concluded his 4-over spell with the wicket of Yadav and an economy rate of 7.25. The other two cricketers, Dilshan Madushanka and Kamindu Mendis, are not among the regular players in SRH’s playing eleven.
Sri Lankan cricket is in a crucial juncture right now
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan cricket team is currently in a unique situation as their board president and a member of the executive committee resigned from their respective positions.
“The President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mr. Shammi Silva, has tendered his resignation from the post, effective today. Along with him, the office bearers and members of the Executive Committee of the SLC have also submitted their resignations,” the official statement released by the board reads.
“This decision has been formally communicated to His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Honorable Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage,” he added.
As per the reports, a new set of officials will be appointed shortly. In place of Shammi Silva, Sri Lanka Cricket will get a new president as well. It is understood that Silva and the officials resigned because of mounting public pressure and ongoing allegations of financial irregularities.
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