In a significant development for Sri Lankan cricket, experienced all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as the Test captain with immediate effect. The 35-year-old formally informed the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection committee of his decision, stating that the time had come to “hand over the reins to the next generation.”
Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as the Test captain with immediate effect
De Silva had taken over the Test captaincy from Dimuth Karunaratne in January 2024. During his tenure, he led Sri Lanka in 18 Test matches, securing seven victories. While stepping down from leadership duties, the veteran clarified that he would remain available for selection as a player in red-ball cricket.
Throughout his captaincy, De Silva maintained strong individual performances; he scored 1,130 runs at an average of 36.45 and claimed nine wickets with his useful off-spin bowling. Overall, he has enjoyed a stellar international red-ball career, amassing over 4,400 runs—including 13 centuries—across 69 Test matches and establishing himself as a vital component of the national batting lineup.
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Sri Lanka’s Test captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, has decided to step down from the captaincy with immediate effect. READ: https://t.co/8IeasaKyun #SriLankaCricket
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 8, 2026
Commending his leadership, Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva expressed the board’s gratitude to Dhananjaya. He thanked him for his dedication and guidance while at the helm and wished him continued success for the remainder of his playing career.
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Sri Lanka’s next Test assignment is a two-match series against Pakistan, scheduled to take place between November 9 and November 17, 2026. The first Test will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the second will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. These matches are a crucial part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.
