Colombo, Sri Lanka – In a significant shake-up ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of Dasun Shanaka as the national team's T20 captain, replacing Charith Asalanka. The announcement, made on Friday, December 19, 2025, also included the unveiling of a preliminary 25-member squad for the upcoming tournament.
The change in leadership comes as a surprise to many, with the SLC citing Asalanka's recent dip in batting form and Shanaka's extensive experience, including participation in three previous World Cups, as the primary reasons for the decision. Pramodaya Wickramasingha, who has returned as the chairman of selectors, emphasized the need to relieve Asalanka of the captaincy burden to allow him to focus on regaining his batting form ahead of the home series against Pakistan and England. He remains a part of the squad as a specialist batter.
"We hope he will regain his batting form," Wickramasingha stated. "In consultation with Sanath Jayasuriya (the head coach), we decided it was not the time to make too many changes. So we decided to go with the same squad".
Shanaka's role in the team will be that of an all-rounder. Wickramasingha noted that Shanaka had previously held the captaincy when he was last a selector, and Asalanka was always part of their long-term plans.
Asalanka's recent withdrawal from the white-ball tour of Pakistan due to safety concerns following a suicide bombing in Islamabad further fueled speculation about his position as captain.
In addition to the captaincy change, the preliminary squad sees the return of Niroshan Dickwella to the T20I side after more than four years. Wickramasingha indicated that Dickwella's versatility would be an asset, with the possibility of him featuring as an opener, reserve wicketkeeper, or middle-order batter.
Sri Lanka will co-host the T20 World Cup 2026, commencing on February 7. They are grouped with Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman.
Wickramasingha also highlighted a shift in accountability, with coaches playing a greater role in selection and performance monitoring. "We will have targets for fitness, for example. I will hold the trainer responsible if the players are not able to meet the required fitness level," he said.
Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Squad:
Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Traveen Mathew.
