Adil Rashid to miss Sri Lanka ODIs [Source: AFP]England’s spin-bowling spearhead Adil Rashid will miss the ODI series against Sri Lanka due to an injury, having already missed the series opener in Chester-le-Street on Tuesday afternoon.Leading up to the ODIs, Rashid had taken part in England’s T20I series win over the visitors earlier this month and played all three matches, picking up 2 wickets. His absence will give England a chance to test their second-line spin attack in the series.Adil Rashid to miss Sri Lanka ODI seriesFollowing their 3-0 T20I series win over the opposition, England announced their playing XI for the first ODI on the eve of the match on Monday.Regular white-ball fixture Adil Rashid was notably absent, and it was later revealed that the wrist-spinner had suffered a niggle in his bowling (right) hand.The England Cricket Board took to social media to announce that the wrist-spinner will also miss the remaining two matches of the series.England Cricket @englandcricket An update on Adil Rashid Sep 22, 2026, 5:30 PM The matches of the series are coming thick and fast, with the next two ODIs scheduled on September 24 and 27, and Rashid was not expected to recover in time to play any of the matches.Also Read: Joe Root Joins Virat Kohli; Goes Past Sachin Tendulkar To Complete Elite MilestoneWhen is Adil Rashid expected to return from injury?England’s three-match ODI series will end at the Oval on September 27, which will also end the home summer for them. Following the Sri Lanka ODIs, there is a short break before they return to action on October 20 in the tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pakistan.As things stand, the ECB have not provided any official update on Adil Rashid’s expected return from the injury. However, if the initial reports are accurate and it is only a niggle keeping him out of the ongoing series, the wrist-spinner could be available for England’s upcoming tour of Pakistan.If the bowler misses the Pakistan tour in October, he will have another chance to return to the team before the end of the year in Australia, where they are scheduled to play 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is.Golden opportunity for Rehan AhmedThe seasoned leg-spinner, Adil Rashid, is highly likely to be England’s first-choice spinner for the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2027. He is closing in on 250 ODI wickets and also James Anderson’s record for the most ODI wickets for England (269).This will provide Rehan Ahmed with an extended run in the ODI playing XI, having only appeared in 9 ODIs since his debut in 2023.England do not have a ready replacement for the 38-year-old spinner and if things go right for Rehan Ahmed, he will remain in contention for the mega ICC event in 2027.Among other spin-bowling options, England have Will Jacks in the XI for the series opener, while Liam Dawson is on the bench; but being a wrist spinner, Rehan is likely to be an automatic choice in the XI for the next two matches as well.Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Latest India Snub Leaves Japan Captain Disappointed
