Kusal Mendis has been appointed white-ball captain for Sri Lanka as the national selectors unveiled squads for a multi-format tour of the West Indies, with the move handing him leadership across both the 50-over game and T20 cricket. The announcement also brings several injury comebacks and IPL-linked recalls, while the touring party is set to play a tight sequence of ODIs, T20Is and Tests starting later this month.
Captaincy changes and key returns
Mendis, who captained Sri Lanka in 17 ODI matches earlier in his career, will now lead the side in both formats—taking over from Charith Asalanka in the 50-over group and from Dasun Shanaka in the T20I contingent. The shift places him at the centre of Sri Lanka’s planning for the Caribbean tour.
Wanindu Hasaranga returns after being sidelined by an on-field left hamstring injury earlier this year, an absence that also kept him out of the T20 World Cup 2026. He is likewise back for IPL 2026-related action and has been named in both of Sri Lanka’s white-ball squads for this tour.
Eshan Malinga, currently the leading wicket-taker for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing IPL, is set for a national return as well. He missed the T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this year because of a shoulder injury, but has now been included in both white-ball teams.
Dushmantha Chameera, who did not feature in Sri Lanka’s most recent ODI assignment against England at home in January 2026, is recalled to the 50-over squad after a brief run with the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026.
Nishan Madushka returns to the Test setup after his last Test appearance came on the 2024 tour against England. Ramesh Mendis has also been brought back to the longest format after featuring most recently during the home series against Australia in February 2025.
Lahiru Kumara completes the notable Test return, with the pacer returning to the squad after missing the previous Test assignment at home against Bangladesh due to injury.
In the T20I group, Lasith Croospulle has been recalled after playing his lone international match for Sri Lanka in October 2023. Binura Fernando and Nuwan Thushara have also been added to the T20I touring party.
Tour schedule
- Sri Lanka will play three ODIs from June 3 to June 8.
- They will then contest three T20Is on June 12, June 14 and June 15.
- The tour will end with a two-match Test series beginning on June 25.
- The squad will depart for the Caribbean on Tuesday, May 26.
Selected squads
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
