Sri Lanka Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva resigns as skipper to hand over the reins of national team to next generation De Silva will still be available for selection after standing down as captain and could play an integral role in Sri Lanka’s Test setup moving forward.
Sri Lanka’s next Test assignment is a two-match series versus Pakistan, starting with the first game starting in Rawalpindi on November 9. Selectors have not announced de Silva’s replacement yet but many experienced players are believed to be vying for the role.
Sri Lanka Cricket also confirmed the leadership change and thanked de Silva for his services as Test captain. SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva, who wished Hassan Ali well in his decision to remain a player available for selection with the world T20 champions able to still lean on his experience.
Sri Lanka are now as good as certain not to be among the top two in this cycle of the World Test Championship. The upcoming change, with WTC cycle nearing its end possible gives a fresh captain more than enough time to set themselves in and bridge the gap for the future of this team.
As Sri Lanka Test captain, De Silva had coached the team to seven victories, eight losses and three draws. His best timeframe was in 2024 when Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh 2-0 at home with two Tests at The Oval to England and then victorious again to New Zealand winning 2-0 over the season.
Yet lamentably SriLanka also had a major debacle during de Silva’s leadership. Between the end of 2024 and early in 2025, the side went on to lose four successive Tests against South Africa away from home and Australia at home.
The biggest challenge that Sri Lanka faced under de Silva was that the team did not have enough Test matches to play. Sri Lanka’s only other Test contest in this time was a home series victory 1-0 against Bangladesh in June of 2025, and then they were without Test cricket for an entire year. Sri Lanka, who have just twelve Tests scheduled within the current World Test Championship cycle, which is the minimum amount both in this competition or indeed if one goes through Test history.
In the past when talking about the challenges that come with such a restricted Test calendar, especially for those made-for-Test-players types. However, with a slim schedule of games, it is often tough for Test specialists to keep their rhythm, consistency and match fitness.
Early announced retirement is also part of string of senior leadership changes in Sri Lanka men’s cricket teams. In January 2023, Kusal Mendis was handed the white-ball captaincy from Charith Asalanka. Mendis is also among those players who will be further nominated as a Test captain.
Hence, Sri Lanka’s home series against Pakistan next will be a big opportunity for the team. De Silva will no longer be at the helm of the side, but a veteran position on the team could still prove extremely useful if he is included in the series.
Sri Lanka’s first focus will be to pick the most suitable Test captain and, ultimately, lead the team into the next cycle of World Test Championship. The Test side is in transition as it attempts to develop a new core and direction, which the selectors will chart with their decisions on leadership.
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