Pavan Rathnayake

Pavan Rathnayake is a promising young right-handed batter who has been drafted into Sri Lanka’s T20I squad for the series against England following Kusal Mendis’ injury. Rathnayake has already shown glimpses of his ability at international level since making his T20I debut in 2025 and brings a combination of solid technique and positive stroke play to the batting group. He also arrives with useful recent experience from the Lanka Premier League and other domestic competitions, where he has continued to develop as a dependable run-scorer. His call-up presents another significant opportunity to establish himself in Sri Lanka’s evolving white-ball setup.

Rathnayake’s strength lies in his ability to adapt his approach according to the demands of the innings. He can look to build a partnership, rotate the strike efficiently, and accelerate once he gets settled at the crease. His occasional off-spin also gives Sri Lanka an additional tactical option, adding another dimension to his overall game. From a fantasy cricket perspective, Pavan Rathnayake could be an interesting differential batting pick, particularly if he earns a prominent role in the playing XI. The England series is a valuable platform for the young batter, and a strong performance could help him strengthen his position in Sri Lanka’s T20 plans.