Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as Sri Lanka’s Test captain, bringing an end to his nearly three-year tenure at the helm of the red-ball side.
The 35-year-old all-rounder, born on September 6, 1991, communicated his decision to the national Selection Committee today, October 8, 2026, stating his belief that ‘the mantle should go down to the next generation’.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed the resignation, with CEO Ashley de Silva expressing gratitude for his leadership. .Sri Lanka Cricket wishes him the very best for the remainder of his career and thanks him for the leadership he provided to our Test team,’ de Silva said. The board also welcomed his continued availability as a player for national selection. While de Silva cited a generational shift as his primary reason, reports from local media suggest that the decision comes amidst pressure following recent Test series defeats, including a home loss to India, and apparent dissatisfaction from the selection committee regarding his captaincy.
Captaincy Tenure and Record
Dhananjaya de Silva was appointed Sri Lanka’s 18th Test captain in January 2024, taking over from Dimuth Karunaratne. During his captaincy, he led the team in 18 Test matches, securing 7 wins, suffering 8 defeats, and drawing 3, resulting in a win percentage of 38.88%.
Key highlights of his captaincy include:
- One-off Test victory against Afghanistan in February 2024.
- 2-0 away series sweep against Bangladesh in March/April 2024.
- First Test win on English soil since 2014, achieved at The Oval against England in September 2024 (though Sri Lanka lost the series 1-2).
- 2-0 home series sweep against New Zealand.
However, his recent captaincy period also saw a challenging run of results, including four consecutive Test losses in South Africa and Australia between late 2024 and early 2025. This was followed by a 0-1 away series loss to the West Indies, with his last Test played on July 3, 2026. His final assignment as captain was a recent 0-1 home series defeat against India in August 2026, where India won the first Test by 165 runs and the second match ended in a draw.
The Search for a Successor
As of now, Sri Lanka Cricket has not announced de Silva’s successor. Speculation is rife regarding who will take over the crucial role. Among the names being discussed are Kamindu Mendis, who served as vice-captain during the recent series against India, and current white-ball captain Kusal Mendis. The new captain will face the immediate challenge of leading Sri Lanka in their upcoming World Test Championship series, with details expected to be announced soon.
Dhananjaya de Silva’s resignation marks a significant shift for Sri Lanka’s Test team, as they look to usher in a new era of leadership. His commitment to continue as a player offers valuable experience to the squad as they navigate this transition.