Kusal Mendis has been named Sri Lanka’s new Test captain after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down from the role with immediate effect.
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed Mendis’ appointment just hours after de Silva announced his decision to relinquish the Test captaincy.
De Silva, 35, led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests between 2024 and 2026, winning seven, losing eight and drawing three. He will remain available for selection as a player.
“It’s my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation,” de Silva said in a letter to the Sri Lanka Cricket selection committee.
SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva thanked the former captain for his contribution.
“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes him the very best for the remainder of his career and thanks him for the leadership he provided to our Test team,” Ashley de Silva said.
Mendis will take charge of Sri Lanka’s Test side for the first time, with his first assignment coming against Pakistan in a two-match series that forms part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
The series begins on November 9.
Mendis already leads Sri Lanka in both ODIs and T20Is, making him the team’s captain across all three international formats. He has led Sri Lanka in 22 ODIs and began his T20I captaincy stint in June this year during a three-match series against the West Indies.
His immediate schedule also includes the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, which begins on October 9.
Mendis has played 75 Tests for Sri Lanka, along with 159 ODIs and 109 T20Is. His appointment therefore adds the longest format to his existing leadership responsibilities.
Sri Lanka will hope the change provides continuity across their international teams as Mendis takes charge of the Test side ahead of an important WTC assignment.
