Kusal Mendis handed white-ball captaincy for West Indies tour

CBTF May 25, 2026
21:16:00
Kusal Mendis handed white-ball captaincy for West Indies tour

Kusal Mendis has been handed the white-ball captaincy as Sri Lanka announced the squads for the multi-format tour of West Indies. Mendis, who previously led the country in 17 ODIs, now has the reins for both the 50-overs format and T20Is, taking over from Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka respectively.

Wanindu Hasaranga returns from the on-field left hamstring injury that ruled him out of the T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this year, as well as IPL 2026. The spinner has been named in both white-ball squads.

Eshan Malinga, the leading wicket-taer for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing IPL, is in line for the national comeback after missing the T20 World Cup earlier this year due to a shoulder injury. Malinga has been included in both the white-ball sides.

Dushmantha Chameera, who missed Sri Lanka's last ODI assignment against England at home in January 2026, makes his comeback in the 50-overs squad after a brief appearance for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026.

Nishan Madushka returns to the Test squad after having last represented the country in the format against England on the 2024 tour. Allrounder Ramesh Mendis too has been recalled after last featuring in the longest format in the home series against Australia in February 2025. The side will also see the return of experienced pacer Lahiru Kumara, who missed the last Test assignment - at home against Bangladesh - due to an injury.

Opening batter Lasith Croospulle has been recalled to the T20I squad after playing his only game for the country in October 2023. Pace bowlers Binura Fernando an Nuwan Thushara have also been called up for the T20I leg of the tour.

Sri Lanka will play three ODIs between June 3-8, followed by as many T20Is on June 12, 14 and 15, before the tour concludes with a two-match Test series beginning June 25.

The Sri Lanka team will depart for the Caribbean on Tuesday (May 26).

Test squad: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (VC), Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva (C), Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Isitha Wijesundara, Kasun Rajitha.

ODI squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (C), Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis (VC), Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan.

T20I squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (C), Kamindu Mendis (VC), Dasun Shanaka, Milan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.

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