Sri Lanka Test captain de Silva resigns; Mendis appointed successor

Dhananjaya de Silva resigned as Sri Lanka Test captain on October 8, 2026, after leading 18 matches, stating the role should pass to the next generation. Kusal Mendis, already T20I and ODI captain, was appointed his successor and will lead the team in the Pakistan Test series beginning November 9.

Quick Facts

Dhananjaya de Silva resigned as Test captain
Kusal Mendis appointed as new Test captain
De Silva confirmed availability as player
Two-match Test series against Pakistan scheduled
Dhananjaya de Silva

Dhananjaya de Silva, who led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests since January 2024, announced his resignation as Test captain with immediate effect on October 8, 2026. In a letter to Sri Lanka's selection committee, the 35-year-old stated that he believed the leadership should pass to the next generation. He confirmed his intention to remain available for selection as a player.

During his tenure, de Silva led Sri Lanka to seven wins, eight losses, and three draws. As captain, he scored 1,130 runs at an average of 36.45 and picked nine wickets at a bowling average of 44.44. Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva thanked him for his contributions to the Test team and wished him well for the remainder of his career.

Kusal Mendis was appointed as the new Test captain shortly after de Silva's announcement. Mendis, 28, already serves as Sri Lanka's T20I and ODI captain, bringing his first assignment in Test captaincy to the two-match series against Pakistan beginning November 9 in Rawalpindi, with the second Test in Lahore on November 17. Mendis has played 75 Tests, 159 ODIs, and 109 T20Is, and has led Sri Lanka in 22 ODIs and began his T20I captaincy in June 2026.

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Why This Matters

Sri Lanka's Test cricket team faces a transition in leadership ahead of a two-match series against Pakistan in November 2026. De Silva's resignation after 18 matches (7 wins, 8 losses, 3 draws) shifts captaincy to Mendis, who assumes Test leadership while already overseeing ODI and T20I operations. The change affects squad selection, team strategy, and Sri Lanka's Test rankings as it enters matches against a top-ranked opponent in their home venues (Rawalpindi and Lahore).

Timeline & Sources

Jan 1, 2015

Wire

Dhananjaya de Silva made international debut for Sri Lanka

Oct 8, 2026

Wire

De Silva announces resignation as Test captain with immediate effect

Nov 17, 2026

Wire

Second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan begins in Lahore

Nov 17, 2026

Wire

Second Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan begins in Lahore