Sri Lanka Make Leadership Switch, Shanaka Replaces Asalanka for T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka has reinstated Dasun Shanaka as captain of their T20I side, replacing Charith Asalanka at the helm for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the lead-up series against Pakistan and England.

The decision was confirmed by new chief selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe, who, alongside head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and high-performance head Jerome Jayaratne, opted for Shanaka’s experience. 

“We decided that Dasun Shanaka should be captain until the end of the World Cup, after talking to head coach Sanath Jayasuriya as well,” Wickramasinghe stated. He emphasized continuity, adding, “For now we’ve got to continue with what the previous committee was doing. They had been following a plan. If I were to come in and change a lot of things, that would not be ideal.”

This move follows a disrupted tri-series in Pakistan last month, where Asalanka was sent home mid-tour due to illness, a departure from standard protocol for minor illnesses, and Shanaka stepped in as stand-in captain. Sri Lanka lost to Zimbabwe but reached the final, where they were comfortably defeated by Pakistan. The tour itself was marred by security concerns after a suicide bombing in Islamabad.

Asalanka, who had led the side since mid-2024, remains in the 25-man preliminary squad. His modest T20I form this year—156 runs at a strike rate of 122 from 12 innings—was a key factor in the change. The selectors hope freeing him from leadership duties will help him rediscover his batting form ahead of crucial home series.

Wickramasinghe clarified that Shanaka is viewed primarily as an all-rounder. “We are looking at Dasun as an allrounder. We’ll have to talk to Sanath Jayasuriya and work out what is required of him,” he said.

The preliminary squad, originally drawn up by the previous selection committee under Upul Tharanga, has been retained in full. It features a blend of experience and youth, with 13 players carried over from the 2024 T20 World Cup. 

The squad boasts all-round depth with players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Dhananjaya de Silva, a pace attack including Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana, and mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana.

A notable recall is wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella, who last played for Sri Lanka in March 2023 in Tests. Wickramasinghe noted the squad needed “a top order batter who could keep wickets,” which brought Dickwella back into contention. Younger players like Eshan Malinga and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth have also been given an early opportunity to impress.

Sri Lanka will co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup with India. Their group stage begins on February 7, with matches against Ireland, Oman, Australia, and Zimbabwe. The final squad will be confirmed closer to the tournament, giving the management a year to fine-tune their combinations for the home event.