‘Mantle should go down to the next generation’ – Dhananjaya de Silva relinquishes Test captaincy

Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as Sri Lanka Test captain with immediate effect, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed through an official media release on October 8, 2026. The 35-year-old communicated his decision directly to the Selection Committee, expressing a clear desire for the leadership role to move to a younger crop of players.

De Silva, born on September 6, 1991, made it clear that his decision covers only the captaincy. He has no plans to step away from international cricket and will continue to be available for selection as a player across formats.

Writing to the Selection Committee, de Silva stated: “It’s my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation.”

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva acknowledged the outgoing captain’s service, saying: “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.”

Why did Dhananjaya de Silva step down as Sri Lanka Test captain?

De Silva’s reasoning, as set out in his communication to the Selection Committee, was straightforwardly generational. He expressed the view that younger players should now shoulder the leadership responsibility for Sri Lanka in the longest format.

De Silva was appointed Sri Lanka’s 18th Test captain in January 2024, succeeding Dimuth Karunaratne. His tenure spanned nearly three years, during which he guided the side through 18 Test matches. Sri Lanka recorded seven wins, eight defeats, and three draws under his leadership, giving him a win percentage of 38.88 per cent.

Who will be Sri Lanka’s next Test captain?

Sri Lanka Cricket had not named a successor to the Test captaincy as of October 8, 2026. The Selection Committee is expected to confirm a replacement in due course, though no timeline, shortlist or preferred candidate has been made public.

De Silva’s continued availability as a player is a notable aspect of this transition. His experience across all three formats means he could feature in future Test squads under whoever is appointed to lead the side next.

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Sri Lanka’s upcoming Test assignment is set to be against Pakistan in November. The two Asian giants face each other in a two-match Test series. The first Test will be played in Rawalpindi, while the second will be held in Lahore.