SLC appoints current ODI and T20I skipper to lead the Test side, with Pakistan tour marking his first assignment in the longest format.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Kusal Mendis as the new captain of the National Men’s Test team following Dhananjaya de Silva’s decision to relinquish the leadership role with immediate effect.
The appointment was announced by SLC on Thursday (8), following a meeting of the Selection Committee at the board’s headquarters.
Mendis, who currently leads Sri Lanka in both One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), will take charge of the Test side for the first time during the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan.
The decision marks a significant change in Sri Lanka’s Test leadership, with the selectors opting for an experienced international campaigner to guide the team in the longest format.
The wicketkeeper-batter has represented Sri Lanka in 75 Test matches and played 343 international matches across all three formats, bringing considerable experience to his new role.
De Silva Steps Aside to Make Way for the Next Generation
Earlier on Thursday, SLC confirmed that de Silva had stepped down as Test captain, explaining that he believed the time had come for a younger generation to assume greater responsibility.
In a letter addressed to the Selection Committee, de Silva said the leadership mantle should pass to the next generation, while making it clear that he remained committed to representing the national team as a player.
“It’s my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation,” de Silva said in the letter.
His decision brings his tenure as Test captain to an end but does not signal his retirement from international cricket. He has confirmed his availability for future national team selection.
Mendis Faces Immediate Test in Pakistan
Mendis now faces the challenge of leading Sri Lanka in the demanding Test format while continuing his responsibilities as captain of the ODI and T20I teams.
The upcoming Pakistan tour will provide his first opportunity to establish his leadership credentials in Test cricket, as Sri Lanka look to maintain their competitiveness in the longest format.
With de Silva stepping aside voluntarily and remaining available as a player, the focus will now shift to how Mendis adapts to the additional responsibility and shapes Sri Lanka’s Test campaign.
The appointment also represents a transition in leadership, as Sri Lanka Cricket places its confidence in Mendis to steer the Test team into its next phase.