Latest reports claim that SLC is all set to appoint Kusal Mendis as the captain of its national team in both the white-ball formats. Meanwhile, red-ball captain Dhananjay de Silva is likely to continue in his role.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board faced criticism after their team was eliminated from the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 following a poor performance in the group stage. However, they lost to Zimbabwe in the group matches.
After this shameful defeat, once again Dasun Shanaka can be dismissed from the role of T20 captain, on the other hand, the sword has always been hovering over Charit Asalanka after refusing the orders of SLC and going out of Pakistan.
Kusal Mendis will be appointed the next white ball captain of Sri Lanka
According to some latest reports, Sri Lanka’s 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis is most likely to be appointed the captain of the white-ball teams. Kusal Mendis is likely to become the captain of both ODI and T20 teams.
According to The Sunday Times, Kusal is likely to be appointed captain of the team for the upcoming tour of West Indies. This means he will replace Dasun Shanaka as the T20I captain and is expected to replace Charith Asalanka as the ODI captain.
Sri Lanka aim to set stability and direction for their white-ball setup ahead of a busy international schedule. On the other hand, Dhananjay de Silva will remain the captain of the red ball team.
Kusal Mendis to be rewarded for good season in PSL
Sri Lankan right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis played a big role for Gujarat Titans last season. Mendis was brought in as a replacement for England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
Mendis played for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League. Playing for the Babar Azam-led team, Kusal scored 550 runs in 11 matches at an average of 55 and a tremendous strike rate of 160.
Mendis played some brilliant innings and displayed excellent batting, impressing with four half-centuries and a century and a massive innings of 210 runs. It appears that Mendis has been honored for his stellar performances in the PSL. Peshawar Zalmi won the title in 2026.
upcoming white ball matches of sri lanka
Sri Lanka have a very long white-ball schedule in 2026, and Kusal Mendis will have a lot to prove after being immediately appointed as the team captain.
Their next series is against the West Indies, consisting of three ODIs and the same number of matches in the shortest format of the game. The same saga of ODI and T20I matches will continue in their series against teams like England and India.
However, Sri Lanka only have away matches as they will be touring West Indies, England and India. The tour of India will take place in December 2026, which will be the end of the year for the national team.
Also read: RR Qualification Scenario IPL 2026: Can RR reach playoffs even after loss against GT?
