Kusal Mendis named Sri Lanka captain as Hasaranga returns for West Indies tour

Kusal Mendis has been appointed Sri Lanka's new ODI and T20I captain for next month's tour of the West Indies, with the selectors opting for a fresh leadership direction ahead of a packed international calendar

The wicketkeeper-batter replaces Charith Asalanka as ODI skipper and takes over the T20I captaincy from Dasun Shanaka, becoming Sri Lanka's leader in both white-ball formats. Dhananjaya de Silva will continue as Test captain for the two-match series.

The appointments headline the first major squad announcement under Sri Lanka's new selection panel headed by Kapila Wijegunawardene.

Mendis' elevation comes after a period of leadership uncertainty in Sri Lanka's white-ball setup. Asalanka had already lost the T20I captaincy ahead of the T20 World Cup, with Shanaka taking charge as an interim option between December and February. The latest reshuffle now sees Mendis entrusted with both limited-overs sides.

Kamindu Mendis has been named vice-captain across all three formats.

Hasaranga returns after four-month injury layoff

Sri Lanka received a significant boost with the return of star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been named in both the ODI and T20I squads after recovering from the hamstring injury that ended his T20 World Cup campaign in February.

The leg-spinner has not played competitive cricket since tearing his left hamstring during the tournament and subsequently missed the IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants.

However, Sri Lanka will be without Matheesha Pathirana, who suffered a hamstring injury during his lone appearance for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL earlier this month.

The pace attack still boasts plenty of firepower, with Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga all included in the white-ball squads. Nuwan Thushara has also earned a place in the T20I setup.

New faces rewarded

The selectors have also handed opportunities to several emerging players following impressive domestic performances.

Opening batter Lasith Croospulle has been included in the T20I squad after a productive run of form that included a century against New Zealand A in April. While he previously represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Games, this marks his first major international tour.

The Test squad features two uncapped players in batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara and bowling all-rounder Isitha Wijesundara, both of whom impressed during the most recent domestic season.

Lahiru Udara and Sonal Dinusha have also retained their places after previous appearances at Test level, while off-spinning all-rounder Ramesh Mendis returns to the red-ball setup after missing out following Sri Lanka's series against Australia in early 2025.

Busy month ahead in the Caribbean

Sri Lanka's tour of the West Indies begins with a three-match ODI series from June 3-8, followed by three T20Is on June 11, 13 and 14.

The two-Test series, part of the World Test Championship cycle, will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound from June 25-29 and July 3-7.

With a new captain at the helm in white-ball cricket and key figures such as Hasaranga returning from injury, the tour could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Sri Lanka as they look to rebuild momentum across formats.