Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as Sri Lanka’s Test captain with immediate effect, bringing an end to his tenure as the leader of the national Test side. The 35 year old all rounder has decided that the captaincy should now be handed over to the next generation while confirming that he remains available to represent Sri Lanka as a player.
Sri Lanka Cricket officially announced the decision on October 8, 2026. De Silva communicated his decision through a letter addressed to the selection committee. In the letter, he explained that he genuinely believes the leadership responsibility should move to the next generation of Sri Lankan cricketers.
De Silva took over the Test captaincy in January 2024, succeeding Dimuth Karunaratne. His appointment came at an important stage for Sri Lankan Test cricket as the team looked to develop a new leadership group. Since taking charge, De Silva has led Sri Lanka in 18 Test matches.
Under his leadership, Sri Lanka won seven of those 18 Tests. The team also recorded several notable results during his tenure, including series victories against Afghanistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. His captaincy period also included challenging overseas assignments against strong Test nations.
Although De Silva has given up the captaincy, he has made it clear that he does not intend to step away from Test cricket. He will remain available for selection and could continue contributing to the team as an experienced all rounder.
This distinction is important because his decision is specifically about the leadership role rather than retirement from international cricket. Sri Lanka can therefore continue to benefit from his experience as a senior player while the selectors consider a new candidate for the Test captaincy.
During his time as captain, De Silva also made a significant contribution with the bat. He scored 1,130 runs across the 18 Tests in which he led Sri Lanka, maintaining an average of 36.45. He also scored three centuries and seven half centuries during that period. With the ball, he claimed nine wickets as captain.
One of the highlights of his captaincy came early in his tenure when Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 328 runs in Sylhet. De Silva scored centuries in both innings of that Test, making a major contribution to the victory. Sri Lanka also secured a 2-0 Test series win over Bangladesh away from home under his leadership.
Sri Lanka also recorded a memorable Test victory against England at The Oval during De Silva’s captaincy. The win was particularly significant because it was Sri Lanka’s first Test victory on English soil since 2014. Although England won the series 2-1, the result at The Oval was considered an important achievement for the Sri Lankan side.
Another notable achievement during De Silva’s tenure was Sri Lanka’s 2-0 Test series sweep against New Zealand at home. These results formed an important part of his leadership record as the team competed across different conditions and against several international opponents.
However, the captaincy period also included difficult stretches. Sri Lanka suffered consecutive Test defeats in South Africa and Australia around the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025. The team also faced setbacks against the West Indies and India. The results demonstrated the challenges involved in leading a Test side through a period of transition.
De Silva’s final series as captain came against India, with Sri Lanka losing the series 0-1 at home. Despite the result, Sri Lanka managed to avoid a clean sweep in Colombo in the final Test. Following that series, De Silva decided to relinquish the leadership position.
His decision is not being described by Sri Lanka Cricket as a retirement. Instead, the board has welcomed his continued availability as a player. This means the experienced all rounder could remain part of the Test squad and potentially assist the next captain during the transition.
Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva thanked Dhananjaya de Silva for his contribution to the Test team. The board also wished him well for the remainder of his career and expressed its appreciation for the leadership he provided during his time as captain.
The Sri Lankan board has not yet announced who will succeed De Silva as Test captain. The decision will be closely watched as the team prepares for its upcoming Test commitments and seeks to establish a new leadership structure.
De Silva’s decision also reflects a broader transition within Sri Lankan cricket. Experienced players continue to play an important role, while the national team is also looking to provide greater responsibility to younger cricketers. By stepping aside voluntarily, De Silva has indicated that he believes the time is appropriate for another player to take charge.
His captaincy record includes seven wins from 18 Tests, with eight defeats and three draws. While the results provide one way to assess his tenure, his contribution extends beyond the win-loss record. He led the side during a period that included both successful home series and demanding overseas campaigns.
For Sri Lanka, the immediate task will be to identify a successor capable of handling the demands of Test cricket. The new captain will inherit a side that continues to develop and compete against strong international teams.
For De Silva, the next phase of his international career will focus on his role as a player. His decision allows him to continue contributing on the field without the additional responsibilities associated with captaincy.
The all rounder’s departure from the captaincy therefore marks the end of one chapter rather than the end of his Test career. His statement makes clear that he remains committed to representing Sri Lanka and believes that the leadership mantle should now move to the next generation.
