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New era begins in Sri Lankan cricket, Kusal Mendis becomes regular captain of ODI and T20
Samira Vishwas | May 27, 2026 8:24 AM CST

A very big news is coming out from Sri Lankan cricket at this time. The Sri Lankan white ball team has finally got its full-time regular captain. Explosive batsman Kusal Mendis has been given the command of both ODI and T20 teams. The newly appointed selection panel formed under the new interim administration of Sri Lanka has announced the teams for all three formats for the upcoming tour of West Indies on Monday 25 May. The Sri Lankan team is all set to play two Tests, three ODIs and a three-match T20 series against West Indies on this tour. Dhananjay de Silva’s captaincy remains intact in Test, Kamindu Mendis gets big responsibility. The selectors have kept their faith in Dhananjay de Silva for the Test series against West Indies and he will remain the captain of the team. However, in a major change to the Test team, excellent left-handed middle-order batsman Kamindu Mendis has been appointed as the new vice-captain. Not only Test, but Kamindu Mendis has also been made the vice-captain of both the limited overs (ODI and T20) teams, which shows his growing stature. Kusal Mendis, who had previously led the country as stand-in captain in 17 ODIs, will now take over the captaincy of both the 50-over format and T20 Internationals on a permanent basis. They have replaced Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka respectively in the team. Surprise entry of three new faces in the Sri Lankan squad for the Windies tour. This time the selectors have surprised everyone by giving a chance to some new faces in the team who have performed brilliantly in domestic cricket. The Test team includes two uncapped players in the form of batsman Pasindu Suriyabandara and right-arm fast bowler Isitha Wijesundara, who have not played any international match yet. At the same time, tall and powerful right-handed batsman Lasith Kruspule has also been given a place in the limited overs team. Kruspule has got the national team ticket as a reward for scoring a explosive century against the New Zealand ‘A’ team last month. A unique change happened with the former captains, Nuwan Thushara also returned. An interesting decision has been taken regarding the former captains in this team selection. All-rounder Dasun Shanaka, who led the Sri Lankan team in the last T20 World Cup, has got a place in the T20 team only this time, while he has been dropped from the ODI team. Similarly, his predecessor Charith Asalanka has been included only in the ODI squad and has been left out of the T20 squad. Apart from this, fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has been selected in the T20 team. Thushara recently came into controversy when he filed a lawsuit against the previous Sri Lanka Cricket administration after the board refused to grant him NOC to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL. The Sri Lankan team is leaving for West Indies today i.e. on Tuesday 26th May for this tour. The three Sri Lankan teams for the West Indies tour are as follows Sri Lankan Test team: Dhananjay de Silva (captain), Kamindu Mendis (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, World Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Isitha Wijesundara, Kasun Rajitha. Sri Lanka’s ODI squad: Kusal Mendis (captain), Kamindu Mendis (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pawan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Vellalege, Mahesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushka, Ishan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushanka. Sri Lanka’s T20 (T20I) squad: Kusal Mendis (captain), Kamindu Mendis (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Kruspule, Pawan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Milan Rathnayake, Dunith Vellalej, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Ishan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.


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