On Saturday, Sri Lanka chose all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga to lead their Twenty20 team before their match against Zimbabwe next month. Hasaranga named Sri Lanka’s T20 skipper, Mendis to lead ODI side. Batsman Kusal Mendis will lead their one-day international team. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement that Charith Asalanka was chosen to be Hasaranga and Mendis’s replacement.
Hasaranga named Sri Lanka’s T20 skipper, Mendis to lead ODI side
Hasaranga will play again after missing the Asia Cup and the 50-overs World Cup earlier this year because of an injury he got in August in the Lanka Premier League. After regular captain Dasun Shanaka, who was named in their preliminary lists for three ODIs and as many T20s against the African team at home starting January 6, he takes over. Shanaka hurt his thigh and had to miss the World Cup in India, so Mendis took over as captain for the first two ODIs.
Sri Lanka didn’t do well in the event; they came in ninth out of ten teams with just two wins in nine games. In response, the SLC formed a new selection committee with former player Ajantha Mendis and former starter Upul Tharanga as its leader. It also hired Sanath Jayasuriya, a past captain and great batsman, as a “cricket consultant” for a year.