In a sudden development, in the middle of IPL 2026, some of the Sri Lankan players returned to Sri Lanka. Last night, the Lankan players, who participated in the Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (MI vs SRH) at the Wankhede Stadium, returned to their nation.
But why did they suddenly take the return flight? As per the latest updates, there is nothing to worry about as they will return for the IPL 2026 season right after completing the process related to their visas.
Why did SRH’s Sri Lankan players return home in the middle of IPL 2026?
Danuska Aravinda, a Sri Lankan journalist, brings to light the incident through a couple of
“Sri Lankan cricketers Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga and Kamindu Mendis, who represent SRH in the IPL, arrived in Sri Lanka early this morning,” reports Aravinda.
“They have returned to complete their biometric details as part of the required visa process for the upcoming tour of the West Indies. The three players are scheduled to leave for India tomorrow to take part 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.
All three players are scheduled to return to India tomorrow to take part in the remaining matches of the IPL. https://t.co/IOpammylEy
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) April 30, 2026
Eshan Malinga was SRH’s best bowler against MI in Mumbai
Eshan Malinga, a Sri Lankan pacer, has cemented his place as a regular player in SRH’s playing mix. During their match against the Mumbai Indians, the seamer was the team’s most successful bowler, ahead of other star players like 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 eleven.
Sri Lanka cricket is at a crucial juncture right now
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka cricket team is currently in a unique situation as the chairman of its board of directors and a member of the executive committee have resigned from their respective positions.
“The President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mr. Shammi Silva, has tendered his resignation from office, effective today. Along with him, the officials and members of the Executive Committee of the SLC have also tendered their resignations,” reads the official statement issued by the board.
“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.
A new group of officials will reportedly be appointed shortly. In place of Shammi Silva, Sri Lanka Cricket will also have a new president. Silva and the officials are understood to have resigned due to mounting public pressure and continued allegations of financial irregularities.
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