Kusal Mendis takes over as Sri Lanka Test captain ahead of Pakistan series

Sri Lanka have turned to Kusal Mendis to lead their Test team, with the experienced batter taking over from Dhananjaya de Silva ahead of the two-Test series against Pakistan in November.

De Silva announced his decision to step down on Thursday, explaining that he wanted to make room for the next generation of Sri Lankan leadership. Despite leaving the captaincy, the 34-year-old remains available for selection.

Why has Sri Lanka chosen Kusal Mendis?

Mendis brings considerable international experience to the role, although he has never previously captained Sri Lanka in Test cricket. His leadership experience has largely come in white-ball cricket, where he has frequently taken charge of the ODI side before being appointed permanent captain in May this year.

Since first leading Sri Lanka in ODIs in October 2023, Mendis has overseen 22 matches, producing 10 victories and 10 defeats. His only T20I captaincy stint came during Sri Lanka's tour of the West Indies in June, where the visitors lost the series 2-1.

His batting credentials, meanwhile, are firmly established. In 75 Tests, Mendis has accumulated 4,836 runs, placing him 12th among Sri Lanka's leading run-scorers in the format.

What does Mendis inherit from Dhananjaya de Silva?

De Silva's 18-Test tenure produced seven wins, eight defeats and three draws between February 2024 and August 2026.

Sri Lanka's recent Test form has been underwhelming, with series defeats against the West Indies and India this year. However, the team's struggles have not been entirely down to results.

One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of regular Test cricket. Sri Lanka went an entire year without playing a Test after beating Bangladesh 1-0 at home in June 2025.

Can Mendis use Pakistan series as a fresh start?

Sri Lanka are unlikely to reach the top two of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, meaning the Pakistan series, starting from November 9, offers Mendis valuable time to establish his leadership before the next cycle begins.

For De Silva, stepping aside now could therefore give his successor the opportunity to build a new leadership structure without the immediate pressure of a major WTC campaign.

Mendis will now have to combine his experience as one of Sri Lanka's senior players with the demands of leading a Test side that desperately needs greater consistency and, perhaps most importantly, more opportunities to play the format.