De Silva steps down as Sri Lanka Test captain, Mendis takes over
Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as Sri Lanka’s Test captain with immediate effect. Sri Lanka Cricket named Kusal Mendis as the new captain on Thursday.
De Silva said in a letter that the mantle should go to the next generation. The 35-year-old confirmed he will remain available for selection as a player.
De Silva led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests between 2024 and 2026. He won seven, lost eight and drew three. Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva thanked him for his leadership.
Mendis, 31, has played 75 Tests and scored 4,836 runs. He is already the ODI and T20I captain. He will now lead Sri Lanka in all three formats.
His first assignment as Test captain will be the two-match series against Pakistan. The first Test starts in Rawalpindi on November 9. Sri Lanka are seventh in the World Test Championship table. Sri Lanka lost recent Test series to the West Indies and India. The new cycle of the World Test Championship will test Mendis as an all-format leader.
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