IPL 2026: The Sri Lankan or SunRisers Hyderabad trio of Kamindu Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga have left the IPL as the business end of the cash-rich tournament approaches.
With Sri Lanka set to tour the West Indies in June across formats, Mendis, Madushanka and Malinga have returned home to complete some visa formalities. However, will the trio return for the remainder of the tournament?
IPL 2026: Will Kamindu Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga return for SunRisers Hyderabad’s remaining matches?
According to reports, Mendis, Madushanka and Malinga have returned to Sri Lanka on Thursday morning only to complete biometrics for their visa process ahead of the tour of the West Indies. Thus, they will return to India after completing the same and in time for SunRisers’ next match. The Orange Army are set to play their next IPL game only on May 3 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Hence, all three should be available for selection.
IPL 2026: How have Kamindu Mendis, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga performed for the SunRisers Hyderabad?
Malinga has arguably been the best performer for the SunRisers and is currently holding the Orange Cap for his 14 wickets in eight matches thus far, with his wily variations on batting-friendly tracks coming in a handful. Madushanka, who was roped in as Brydon Carse’s injury replacement, has played only one game and finished with decent figures of 4-0-36-1. Nevertheless, Mendis is yet to play a game this year.
Wednesday’s victory over the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium was SunRisers’ fifth on the bounce and sixth overall as they are inching closer to the playoffs.
The score of 243 was set up largely by Ryan Rickelton, who returned to the side and vindicated his call-up by smashing 123 off 55 deliveries. In response, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma stitched a 129-run opening partnership only in 8.4 overs. Mumbai Indians hit back with the wickets of Abhishek (45), Ishan Kishan (0) and Head (76) within the next two overs. But Heinrich Klaasen quickly swung the momentum back in the Orange Army's favour with four boundaries in an over bowled by Ashwani Kumar.
Although Mumbai Indians did get the wicket of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora walked in and belted 30 off the 10 balls he faced to seal the victory with eight balls to spare. Klaasen received the Player of the Match for his 65 off 30 deliveries.