Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed in a press release on October 8, 2026, that Dhananjaya de Silva has quit as Sri Lanka Test captain effective right away. He told the Selection Committee directly about his choice, and it was clear that the 35-year-old wanted a younger group of players to take over as leader.
Dhananjaya de Silva, who was born on September 6, 1991, made it clear that his choice only affects the captaincy. He has no plans to quit international cricket, and teams will still be able to choose him as a player in all forms.
Why did Dhananjaya de Silva quit as leader of the Sri Lankan Test team?
In his letter to the Selection Committee, Dhananjaya de Silva made it clear that his thinking was based on generational differences. In the longest format, he said that younger players should now take on the role of guidance for Sri Lanka.
In January 2024, Dhananjaya de Silva took over as Sri Lanka’s 18th Test captain, replacing Dimuth Karunaratne. He was in charge for almost three years and led the team through 18 Test matches. With seven wins, eight losses, and three draws, Sri Lanka had a win rate of 38.88% while he was in charge.
Who will lead Sri Lanka in the next Test match?
As of October 8, 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket had not chosen a new Test leader. After some time, the Selection Committee should confirm a replacement, but no date, shortlist, or preferred candidate has been made public.
One important thing about this transition is that De Silva is still available as a player. Because he has played all three types of cricket, he could be put in future Test squads for whoever is in charge of the team next.
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In November, Sri Lanka will play its next Test match, which is against Pakistan. The two Asian powerhouses are going to play each other in two Tests. The first Test will take place in Rawalpindi, and the second in Lahore.
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