Kusal Mendis rewarded with dual captaincy by Sri Lanka for West Indies tour afte

A New Chapter for Sri Lankan Cricket

In a significant move aimed at revitalizing the national side, Kusal Mendis rewarded with dual captaincy by Sri Lanka for West Indies tour afte his magnificent showing in the latest edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Mendis, who established himself as a dominant force with the Peshawar Zalmi, will take the helm for the ODI and T20I formats. Meanwhile, the experienced Dhananjaya De Silva has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Test side as Sri Lanka embarks on a challenging tour of the Caribbean starting June 3.

Stellar Form Driving Leadership Selection

The decision to elevate Mendis to a dual-captaincy role follows an extraordinary domestic season. During the PSL 2026, the keeper-batter was in sublime touch, amassing a total of 550 runs. His consistency was remarkable, maintaining an impressive average of 55.00 while striking the ball at a rapid rate of 168.19. This performance not only showcased his ability to anchor an innings but also his capacity to accelerate when the team requires quick runs, traits that the selectors believe will translate effectively into international leadership.

Tour Logistics and Schedule

The Sri Lankan squad is scheduled to depart for the West Indies on May 26, ensuring they have ample time to acclimatize to the conditions. The bilateral series is comprehensive, spanning across three formats. The white-ball leg of the tour, consisting of three ODIs and three T20Is, will be hosted entirely at the iconic Sabina Park in Kingston. The action shifts to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound for the final two-match Test series, which is set to run from June 25 to July 7.

Returning Stars and Fresh Talent

The selection committee has placed a strong emphasis on balancing experience with emerging form. One of the most highly anticipated inclusions is the return of star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to the white-ball squads. Hasaranga has been sidelined since the T20 World Cup 2026 due to a hamstring injury, which also forced him to miss the IPL 2026 campaign. His return provides a massive boost to the bowling attack.

Furthermore, Dushmantha Chameera makes a welcome return to the ODI fold, having recovered from the fitness concerns that saw him miss the home series against England earlier this year. The pace department is further bolstered by the inclusion of Eshan Malinga, who arrives in the national setup on the back of a stellar performance as the leading wicket-taker for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2026.

Deep Squad Strength

The depth of the selection is evident in the inclusion of domestic performers such as Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha, who have been rewarded for their consistency at the domestic level. The squads for the upcoming tour are as follows:

• Test Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (VC), Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva (C), Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Isitha Wijesundara, Kasun Rajitha.
• ODI Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (C), Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis (VC), Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan.
• T20I Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (C), Kamindu Mendis (VC), Dasun Shanaka, Milan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.

As the team prepares for the opening fixtures, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see how Kusal Mendis adapts to his expanded leadership role. With a blend of seasoned veterans and in-form youngsters, Sri Lanka looks poised to provide a stern test for the West Indies in what promises to be an exhilarating summer of cricket.