Dhananjaya de Silva Steps Down as Sri Lanka Test Captain With Immediate Effect

Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as Sri Lanka's Test captain with immediate effect, bringing an end to his tenure as the team's red-ball leader.

The 35-year-old informed the national selection committee of his decision and said he believes the time has come for the next generation to take responsibility for Sri Lanka's Test team. He will, however, remain available for selection and continue his international career as a player.

De Silva Hands Over the Test Captaincy

De Silva explained his decision in a letter addressed to Sri Lanka Cricket's Selection Committee.

“It’s my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation,” he said, making it clear that the decision was about leadership rather than retirement from Test cricket.

Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the resignation on October 8 and thanked De Silva for his contribution to the national Test side.

18 Tests as Sri Lanka Captain

De Silva became Sri Lanka's Test captain in January 2024 after Dimuth Karunaratne stepped down from the role. He became the country's 18th Test captain.

During his tenure, Sri Lanka played 18 Tests under his leadership, winning seven, losing eight and drawing three. He also scored 1,130 runs at an average of 36.45 while taking nine wickets.

His record therefore included a mixture of significant victories and difficult periods, but his leadership period also featured several memorable results for Sri Lanka.

Strong Start Against Afghanistan

De Silva's captaincy began with a one-off Test against Afghanistan in February 2024. Sri Lanka won the match by 10 wickets, giving their new captain a winning start.

One of the most memorable performances of his early tenure came against Bangladesh in Sylhet. De Silva scored centuries in both innings, helping Sri Lanka secure a massive 328-run victory.

The result established him as an important figure in Sri Lanka's Test setup and demonstrated his ability to influence matches both as captain and as an all-rounder.

Series Successes Under De Silva

During his captaincy, Sri Lanka recorded Test series victories over Afghanistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand.

The Bangladesh tour was particularly successful, with Sri Lanka completing a 2-0 series sweep away from home. Sri Lanka also defeated New Zealand 2-0 at home in another notable result during De Silva's tenure.

His leadership period also included Sri Lanka's Test victory over England at The Oval, their first Test win on English soil since 2014, although England ultimately won that series 2-1.

Difficult Periods in the Captaincy

De Silva's tenure also included challenging stretches. Sri Lanka suffered four consecutive Test defeats across tours of South Africa and Australia at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.

The team later lost a Test series in the West Indies before facing another setback against India at home in 2026.

Those results came during a period in which Sri Lanka were attempting to build consistency in the World Test Championship cycle.

India Series Was His Final Assignment

De Silva's final Test series as captain came against India at home in 2026. India won the two-match series 1-0 after taking victory in the opening Test and drawing the second.

In the second Test in Colombo, Sri Lanka avoided a series whitewash, but the result was not enough to prevent India from taking the series.

The India series therefore became the final chapter of De Silva's captaincy tenure.

He Will Continue as a Player

Although De Silva has relinquished the captaincy, he has made it clear that he is not stepping away from international cricket.

He remains available for selection and will continue to contribute as a Test player. His experience as a middle-order batter and useful all-rounder means he remains an important option for Sri Lanka's future red-ball plans.

The decision allows De Silva to concentrate entirely on his individual performances while giving the selectors an opportunity to establish a new leadership group.

Next Captain Yet to Be Named

Sri Lanka Cricket has not yet announced who will succeed De Silva as Test captain.

The selection committee will now have to identify a leader capable of guiding the team through the remainder of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

The timing of the decision means the new captain will inherit a team preparing for important upcoming Test assignments.

A New Generation Takes Responsibility

De Silva's decision appears to be part of a broader transition within Sri Lanka's Test setup. By stepping aside while remaining available as a player, he has created an opportunity for another member of the squad to take on the leadership responsibility.

His experience can also remain valuable to the new captain, particularly during challenging overseas assignments and important World Test Championship matches.

A Significant Chapter in Sri Lanka's Test Cricket

De Silva leaves the captaincy after more than two years at the helm. His tenure included seven Test victories, major series successes and several individual performances that will remain among the highlights of his leadership career.

His twin centuries against Bangladesh, the series sweep over New Zealand and the historic victory at The Oval were among the notable moments of his time as captain.

Focus Now Turns to the Next Captain

With De Silva remaining available as a player, Sri Lanka can now begin the process of building its next Test leadership structure without losing one of its experienced all-rounders from the squad.

The immediate question is who will take over the captaincy and how the new leader will shape Sri Lanka's approach during the remainder of the World Test Championship cycle.

For De Silva, the next stage will be about contributing with bat and ball rather than carrying the additional responsibility of leading the Test side.