Kusal Mendis will lead Sri Lanka in Test cricket after the national selectors appointed him captain following Dhananjaya de Silva’s decision to relinquish the position.
The appointment completes Mendis’ transition into Sri Lanka’s all-format captaincy, with his first Test assignment coming during the two-match tour of Pakistan in November.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee finalised the decision during a meeting at the board headquarters on Thursday.
Mendis brings substantial Test experience to the leadership role. The batter has played 75 Tests and amassed 4,836 runs, including 10 hundreds and 23 fifties.
Sri Lanka handed Mendis the white-ball captaincy in May this year. He replaced Charith Asalanka as ODI captain and succeeded Dasun Shanaka as the T20I skipper. His appointment as Test captain follows de Silva’s decision earlier on Thursday to end his leadership stint.
De Silva had taken charge of Sri Lanka’s Test team in January 2024 after succeeding Dimuth Karunaratne.
“It’s my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation,” de Silva said in a letter sent to Sri Lanka’s selection committee.
The all-rounder, however, remains available for selection as a player.
Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva praised his namesake for his contribution as Test captain.
“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes him the very best for the remainder of his career and thanks him for the leadership he provided to our Test team,” the SLC CEO said.
De Silva led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests and guided the team to seven victories during his tenure.
Mendis will now begin his Test leadership journey against Pakistan, with Sri Lanka looking to build a new chapter under their all-format captain.
Also Read: Dhananjaya De Silva Steps Down As Sri Lanka Test Captain
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