Kusal Mendis to Captain, Asalanka Deputy: Sri Lanka Announce 16-Member Squads for England Tour

Sri Lanka's selectors have announced their white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of England starting September 15, headlined by key leadership changes and several notable recalls.

Charith Asalanka Returns to Leadership: Charith Asalanka has been named vice-captain for both the ODI and T20I squads. He makes his return to the T20I setup after impressive domestic form, having scored 385 runs at a strike rate of 153.38 to lead Galle Gladiators to the Lanka Premier League (LPL) title.

Kusal Mendis Retained as Captain: Kusal Mendis will continue to lead Sri Lanka across both white-ball formats, with Kamindu Mendis remaining part of the core group.

Key Recalls & Inclusions

Dasun Shanaka Recalled to ODIs: Former captain Dasun Shanaka makes his return to the ODI side for the first time since January 2024, brought back to strengthen the lower-order finishing options. Maiden Call-Up: Legspinner Sachindu Colombage has earned his first national call-up as a spin-bowling option, providing cover for Wanindu Hasaranga. T20I Squad Additions: Alongside Asalanka, Lahiru Udara (the top run-scorer in the recent LPL with 434 runs), Janith Liyanage, and ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake have been drafted into the T20I squad.

Notable Exits

Pavan Rathnayake, Lasith Croospulle, Milan Rathnayake, and Dilshan Madushanka have been left out of the T20I squad.

Tour Schedule The tour kicks off on September 15 in Southampton, featuring three T20Is followed by three ODIs against England.

The returning Colombage picked up 10 wickets across six innings at an economy rate of 7.95. He debuted domestically in 2019, and his 48 T20s have fetched 69 wickets at a strike rate of 13.7. He will deputise Wanindu Hasaranga - whose fitness has not been guaranteed as of late - in the spin bowling line-up.