Sri Lanka reshapes leadership ahead of crucial West Indies tour
Key Points(5)
- - Advertisement - The appointments signal a significant shift in direction as Sri Lanka prepares for a demanding series against the West Indies beginning June 3.
- Meanwhile, dynamic all-rounder Kamindu Mendis has been entrusted with vice-captaincy duties across all three formats, underlining his growing importance within the national setup.
- Leadership shake-up alters white-ball structure Kusal Mendis assumes ODI captaincy from Charith Asalanka, whose leadership role has steadily diminished in recent months.
- Asalanka had already lost the T20I captaincy before the T20 World Cup and has now also been removed from the ODI leadership post.
- Although he retains a place in the 16-man ODI squad, he has been omitted entirely from the T20I team.
Sri Lanka has unveiled a revamped leadership structure for next month’s multi-format tour of the Caribbean, handing experienced wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis command of both the One-Day International (ODI) and T20 International squads, while Dhananjaya de Silva will continue to lead the Test side.
The appointments signal a significant shift in direction as Sri Lanka prepares for a demanding series against the West Indies beginning June 3.
Meanwhile, dynamic all-rounder Kamindu Mendis has been entrusted with vice-captaincy duties across all three formats, underlining his growing importance within the national setup.
Leadership shake-up alters white-ball structure
Kusal Mendis assumes ODI captaincy from Charith Asalanka, whose leadership role has steadily diminished in recent months.
Asalanka had already lost the T20I captaincy before the T20 World Cup and has now also been removed from the ODI leadership post. Although he retains a place in the 16-man ODI squad, he has been omitted entirely from the T20I team.
In the shortest format, Mendis replaces Dasun Shanaka, who served as interim captain between December and February during Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign. Shanaka remains part of the T20I squad despite failing to make a major impact during his short tenure as skipper.
Hasaranga returns, but Pathirana misses out
Sri Lanka’s white-ball squads receive a major boost with the return of star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who is back after recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered during the T20 World Cup.
However, fellow pace weapon Matheesha Pathirana remains unavailable after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders earlier this month.
Even without Pathirana, Sri Lanka still boasts serious pace depth. Fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, and Eshan Malinga, all named in both white-ball squads, are capable of consistently exceeding 140 kilometers per hour.
Fresh faces earn Caribbean opportunity
Selectors have also rewarded several emerging players for strong domestic performances.
Opening batter Lasith Croospulle earns a place in the T20I squad after producing impressive recent form, while uncapped batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara receives his first major Test tour call-up following an excellent domestic campaign.
Also included is uncapped 29-year-old bowling all-rounder Isitha Wijesundara, who strengthens the depth of the Test squad.
Caribbean tour schedule set
Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies will feature three ODIs, three T20 Internationals, and two Test matches across June and July.
The ODI series begins on June 3, followed by matches on June 6 and June 8. The T20I leg runs from June 12 to June 15, before the Test series opens on June 25 and concludes with the second Test from July 3 to 7.
ODI Squad: Kusal Mendis (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan.
T20I Squad: Kusal Mendis (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Milan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.
Test Squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Isitha Wijesundara, Kasun Rajitha.
