Sri Lanka Name New Captain For West Indies Tour After T20 World Cup Horror

Sri Lanka name new captain [Source: AFP]

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has unveiled entire Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming all-format tour of West Indies. In the process, the men’s selection committee also named new captain for the Sri Lankan ODI and T20Is sides.

It is worth noting that the Sri Lankan cricket team recently failed to qualify for the semifinal of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at home. Under the leadership of all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, the team failed to win a single Super 8 game.

Kusal Mendis to lead Sri Lanka in ODIs and T20Is

SLC has appointed senior wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis as the new captain of the Sri Lanka Men’s ODI and T20I teams. The cricketer will be replacing Charith Asalanka in ODIs, and Dasun Shanaka in the shortest format of the game.

Notably, both Asalanka and Shanaka still retained their places in the 16-member ODI and T20I squads respectively.

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In addition to Kusal Mendis’ ascension to captaincy, the SLC also named talented all-format batter Kamindu Mendis as the vice-captain of the white-ball teams.

Seasoned all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga will be making his return to the field after missing a major part of the 2026 T20 World Cup owing to his injury concern. Here is a look at the entire Sri Lanka T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming tour of West Indies.

Sri Lanka ODI and T20I squads vs West Indies:

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 and 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 and Nuwan Thushara.

Dhananjaya de Silva to continue as Sri Lanka Test captain

Dhananjaya de Silva will continue to lead Sri Lanka’s Test side. Fellow star performers like Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Prabath Jayasuriya among others also found a place in the 17-member Test squad for the West Indies tour.

Interestingly, the upcoming two-match series in the West Indies next month will mark Sri Lanka’s return to the prestigious format after a year.

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 and Kasun Rajitha.

Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰

@OfficialSLC

Sri Lanka Tour of West Indies 2026🏏 Sri Lanka Cricket’s Selection Panel has selected the following squads for Sri Lanka’s Tour of the West Indies 2026. The tour will feature matches across all three formats - ODI, T20I, and Test cricket. The tour will begin with the ODI series,

May 25, 2026, 8:27 PM

Sri Lanka to tour West Indies in June

The Sri Lanka cricket team is scheduled to tour West Indies later this week for an all-format series. The tour will commence with a three-match ODI series between June 3 and June 8.

The three T20I matches will be played between June 11 and June 14, and the two Tests will be staged between June 25 and July 7. While the ODIs will serve as a testing ground for both sides ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, the Test series will constitute a part of the 2025-27 WTC cycle.

Conclusion

Kusal Mendis has previously led the Sri Lanka team in ODIs between the years 2023 and 2025. His latest appointment as regular white-ball skipper appears to be a bold yet sensible move by SLC, considering his experience and ability of handling pressure at the highest level.

With a fresh leadership group in place for Sri Lanka’s white-ball unit after a disappointing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, this transition could mark the beginning of a much-needed reset for the cricket-crazy nation.

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