Sri Lanka national cricket team announced a major leadership shake-up ahead of their upcoming white-ball tour of the West Indies cricket team next month.
The Sri Lankan cricket board removed Dasun Shanaka from T20I captaincy, while Charith Asalanka also lost his ODI captaincy role.
Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis has now been appointed as the new captain in both white-ball formats for the tour.
The Sri Lankan side will play three ODIs, three T20Is and two Test matches during the full tour scheduled from June to early July.
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Kusal Mendis named new white-ball captain for West Indies tour
Sri Lanka’s decision came after a disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year under Shanaka’s leadership.
Despite Shanaka’s explosive innings against Pakistan national cricket team during the Super 8 stage, Sri Lanka failed to qualify for the semifinals.
However, Shanaka retained his place in the T20I squad for the West Indies tour.
Meanwhile, Asalanka has also been removed as ODI captain, although he still remains part of Sri Lanka’s ODI setup.
Interestingly, Asalanka was dropped from the T20I squad entirely.
The new captain Kusal Mendis will lead both the ODI and T20I sides, while Kamindu Mendis has been named vice-captain in both formats.
There was no change in the Test leadership group, with Dhananjaya de Silva continuing as Test captain.
Sri Lanka will play the ODI series on June 3, 6 and 8, followed by the T20I series on June 12, 14 and 15 before the two-Test series begins later in June.
Wanindu Hasaranga returns as Sri Lanka announce squads
Sri Lanka also received a massive boost ahead of the tour with star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga returning to both ODI and T20I squads after recovering from injury.
Hasaranga had suffered an injury during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year and consequently missed the Indian Premier League 2026 campaign with Lucknow Super Giants.
The spinner’s return is expected to significantly strengthen Sri Lanka’s bowling attack ahead of the challenging Caribbean tour.
Sri Lanka Test squad:
Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Isitha Wijesundara, Kasun Rajitha
Sri Lanka ODI squad:
Kusal Mendis (C), Kamindu Mendis (VC), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan
Sri Lanka T20I squad:
Kusal Mendis (C), Kamindu Mendis (VC), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Lasith Croospulle, Dasun Shanaka, Milan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.