Hasaranga named Sri Lanka’s T20I captain, Mendis takes charge for ODIs

Following a demoralizing performance in the ICC Cricket World Cup in India, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a change in captaincy for both limited-overs formats. While Wanindu Hasaranga is set to lead the side in the T20Is, Kusal Mendis has been named the skipper for the ODI team. 

In the preliminary squads for the forthcoming white-ball series against Zimbabwe at home, the newly-appointed Men's selection committee, led by Upul Tharanga, have announced two core groups of players, with Charith Asalanka being the vice-captain of both squads. In September, there were reports that the selectors were about to name Mendis as the full-time skipper, but took a U-turn in the last minute and named Shanaka as the skipper.

However, Mendis ended up leading Sri Lanka in the World Cup after Dasun Shanaka was ruled out of the tournament mid-way, but the wicket-keeper couldn’t influence the team’s fortunes as the side suffered defeats in five of those seven fixtures. Sri Lanka were unable to finish in the top eight at the end of the group stage, failing to make it to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Sri Lanka are set to host Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI and T20I series from January 6, with all matches set to be played at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka's preliminary ODI squad

Kusal Mendis (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dasun Shanka, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushamnatha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Gunasekara

Sri Lanka's preliminary T20I squad

Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanka, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushamnatha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kamindu Mendis, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana