Sri Lanka weighs captaincy shake-up with Asalanka’s T20I role in doubt

Colombo,Nov.26 (Daily Mirror _ Mirror Sports) - Sri Lanka’s T20I setup is bracing for a potential leadership overhaul just weeks before hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with captain Charith Asalanka’s role now officially under scrutiny.

Chief selector Upul Tharanga confirmed that the panel is actively debating the captaincy, even though no final decision has yet been made.

Speaking after Asalanka’s illness-forced departure from the ongoing tri-series in Pakistan, Tharanga admitted that the left-hander’s prolonged dip in T20 form has become a key concern.

“We have to weigh our best options after this series. With a World Cup so close, we can’t make big changes. The selectors and the coach will decide what’s best for the team,” Tharanga said when asked directly about a change in captaincy.

Shanaka’s Appointment as Vice-Captain Was ‘Intentional’

Tharanga also revealed that leadership discussions began well before the Pakistan tour, which explains why former captain Dasun Shanaka was appointed vice-captain for the series.

“That was to give us another option,” he said. “Charith is still our captain. We haven’t decided to change that. Our plan has always been for him to lead this World Cup. But we’ll see what happens.”

Shanaka, a proven leader across formats, previously captained Sri Lanka—including at the 2023 ODI World Cup—before injury paved the way for Kusal Mendis to replace him.

Form Slump Adds Pressure

Asalanka’s numbers have not helped his case.
Across 70 T20Is, he has scored 1357 runs at a strike rate of 126.35, but 2025 has been an underwhelming year, with inconsistent returns and a captaincy record of 11 wins and 14 losses adding to scrutiny.

Illness — Not Disagreement — His Return

His sudden return from Pakistan triggered rumours of disagreement over the team’s continued stay after a suicide bombing in Islamabad. Selectors, however, strongly refute any such claims.

According to Tharanga, medical advice was the only reason for sending Asalanka home.

With the 2026 T20 World Cup on home soil, selectors will likely prioritise stability. But if Asalanka fails to regain form quickly, a captaincy change — potentially handing the reins back to Shanaka — remains a real possibility.