Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Kusal Mendis named Sri Lanka's new Test captain
Kusal Mendis is now the captain of Sri Lanka's Test cricket team.
He already captains the team in one-day and T20 international cricket.
He will lead the Test team for the first time during a two-match series in Pakistan in November.
Dhananjaya de Silva had been the Test captain since January 2024.
He stepped down because he felt it was time for the next generation to lead.
De Silva said he is still willing to play for Sri Lanka.
As captain, he led the team in 18 Tests and won seven.
Kusal Mendis has been appointed Sri Lanka's Test captain after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down.
Mendis will begin his Test captaincy during Sri Lanka's two-match away series against Pakistan in November.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee made the appointment at a meeting at its headquarters on Thursday.
De Silva said he believed the leadership role should pass to the next generation and remains available as a player.
De Silva led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests, winning seven, and scored 1,130 runs as captain.
- Who
- Kusal Mendis was appointed captain, succeeding Dhananjaya de Silva.
- What
- Mendis will take over leadership of Sri Lanka's Test cricket team.
- When
- The appointment was announced after a committee meeting on Thursday; Mendis's Test captaincy begins in November.
- Where
- The appointment was made at Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters; Mendis's first Test series as captain will be away against Pakistan.
- Why
- De Silva stepped down, saying he believed the leadership role should pass to the next generation.
- New Test captain
- Kusal Mendis
- Outgoing Test captain
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- First series
- Two-match away series against Pakistan in November
- De Silva's captaincy
- Led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests, winning seven
- De Silva's runs as captain
- 1,130 runs at an average of 36.45
- Mendis's Test record
- 75 Tests, 4,836 runs, 10 centuries and 23 half-centuries