Kusal Mendis named Sri Lanka's new Test captain after Dhananjaya de Silva steps down

Sri Lanka appoints Kusal Mendis as new test captain.

Sri Lanka cricket has made a significant leadership change with Kusal Mendis taking over as the new test captain after Dhananjaya De Silva stepped down with immediate effect. De Silva’s captaincy tenure began in February 2024, during which he led the team through 18 test matches, securing seven wins against eight defeats. His decision to resign follows a tough period marked by back-to-back series losses in 2026, one against the West Indies and the other at home against India. Despite stepping down as captain, De Silva remains active within the squad as a player.

Kusal Mendis, aged 31, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Already a vital middle-order batsman, he has represented Sri Lanka in 75 test matches, boasting an average of 36 runs per innings and scoring 10 centuries. Mendis has previous captaincy experience in limited-overs cricket, having led Sri Lanka in 22 One Day Internationals and 32 T20 matches. Earlier in 2026, he was reinstated as the white-ball captain, demonstrating the team management’s confidence in his leadership abilities.

As Mendis steps into his first test captaincy role, he faces the immediate challenge of leading Sri Lanka in a two-match series against Pakistan. This series forms a critical part of the World Test Championship, providing an important platform for the new captain to assert his leadership and guide the team towards improved performance. The appointment signals a new chapter for Sri Lanka cricket as they aim to rebuild and strengthen their test side under fresh leadership.

The transition in captaincy is expected to bring fresh strategies and renewed motivation to the team. Mendis's extensive experience as a middle-order batsman and his leadership track record in shorter formats position him as a promising candidate to navigate the challenges Sri Lanka faces in the test arena. Fans and analysts will be keenly observing how he molds the team and whether his leadership will usher in a new era of success for Sri Lanka cricket.

Sri Lanka's cricketing future now rests on Mendis’s shoulders as they prepare for critical fixtures and look to climb the ranks in international test cricket.

Key points:

1. Dhananjaya De Silva stepped down as Sri Lanka test captain after 18 tests with 7 wins and 8 losses.

2. Kusal Mendis, a seasoned batsman and limited-overs captain, takes over as new test captain.

3. Mendis's leadership debut will be against Pakistan in a World Test Championship series.