Kusal Mendis rewarded with dual captaincy by Sri Lanka for West Indies tour afte

A New Era of Leadership for Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially announced that Kusal Mendis rewarded with dual captaincy by Sri Lanka for West Indies tour afte his prolific campaign in the 2026 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Mendis, who captained his side with tactical maturity, has been entrusted with the leadership roles for both the ODI and T20I formats. Meanwhile, the Test team will continue to be led by Dhananjaya De Silva, as Sri Lanka prepares for a demanding multi-format journey starting on June 3.

The Motivation Behind the Promotion

The decision to appoint Mendis stems from his dominant display for the Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL. During that tournament, the wicket-keeper batter amassed an impressive 550 runs at an average of 55.00, maintaining a blistering strike rate of 168.19. This form has made him one of the most consistent and dangerous batters in international cricket, and SLC selectors clearly believe his current confidence will translate into leadership success on Caribbean soil.

Squad Composition and Returning Stars

The upcoming tour to the West Indies carries significant weight, as the squad features the return of several high-profile players. Most notably, Wanindu Hasaranga makes his comeback to the white-ball setup. Hasaranga had been sidelined due to a hamstring injury that kept him out of the T20 World Cup 2026 and the subsequent IPL season. His presence provides a major boost to the bowling attack.

Additionally, Dushmantha Chameera is set to return to the ODI squad, bolstering the pace battery. The selectors have also rewarded domestic consistency, with the inclusion of rising talents such as Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha. Eshan Malinga, fresh off a successful stint as a leading wicket-taker for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026, is also expected to play a pivotal role in the white-ball matches.

Full Squad Details

The depth of the Sri Lankan pool is evident in the selection:

• Test Squad: Led by Dhananjaya De Silva, the side includes Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (VC), Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Isitha Wijesundara, and Kasun Rajitha.
• ODI Squad: Under Kusal Mendis, the team features Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis (VC), Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, and Pramod Madushan.
• T20I Squad: The squad consists of 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, and Nuwan Thushara.

Series Itinerary

The tour begins with a three-match ODI series from June 3 to June 8, followed immediately by three T20Is between June 12 and June 15. All limited-overs fixtures will be hosted at Sabina Park, Kingston. The tour concludes with a two-match Test series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, spanning from June 25 to July 7. The team departs for the West Indies on May 26 to acclimatize to the conditions.

As Sri Lanka embarks on this challenging tour, the focus remains on the blend of experience and emerging talent. With Mendis at the helm for the shorter formats, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see if his tactical approach mirrors his explosive batting form.