Dhananjaya de Silva quits as Sri Lanka Test captain with immediate effect
Synopsis
Dhananjaya de Silva has walked away from the Sri Lanka Test captaincy on his own terms, citing the need to pass the baton to the next generation. His two-year tenure delivered famous wins — including a historic Test victory at The Oval — but ended on a losing note, with four straight defeats and a home series loss to India prompting a quiet but significant exit.
Key Takeaways
Dhananjaya de Silva resigned as Sri Lanka Test captain on 8 October 2026 with immediate effect.
He led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests , winning 7 , since being appointed in January 2024 .
As captain, he scored 1,130 runs at 36.45 , with 3 centuries and 7 half-centuries .
Highlights included a first Test win on English soil since 2014 and a 2-0 home sweep of New Zealand .
His final series was a 0-1 home loss to India ; Sri Lanka lost 4 Tests on the bounce before that.
De Silva confirmed he remains available as a player for Sri Lanka.
Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as Sri Lanka's Test captain with immediate effect, the all-rounder confirmed on 8 October 2026, signalling a generational shift in the island nation's longest-format leadership. De Silva communicated his decision directly to the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection committee, framing the move as a deliberate handover to younger talent.
De Silva's Own Words
In a letter addressed to the selection committee, de Silva wrote: 'It's my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation.' The statement leaves little ambiguity — this was a voluntary exit rather than a forced removal. De Silva also confirmed he remains fully available as a player for Sri Lanka, keeping his international career alive beyond the captaincy.
SLC's Response
Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva offered warm words for his departing namesake. 'Sri Lanka Cricket wishes him the very best for the remainder of his career and thanks him for the leadership he provided to our Test team,' the CEO said. The cordial tone suggests the parting was entirely amicable and handled on de Silva's own terms.
Record as Test Captain
De Silva was appointed Test captain in January 2024, succeeding Dimuth Karunaratne. He led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests, registering 7 wins. With the bat, he accumulated 1,130 runs at an average of 36.45, including 3 centuries and 7 half-centuries. He also chipped in with 9 wickets, with a best return of 2 for 13.
Among the highlights of his tenure were a 10-wicket victory over Afghanistan in February 2024, a 2-0 away sweep of Bangladesh, a historic Test win over England at The Oval — Sri Lanka's first on English soil since 2014 — and a 2-0 home sweep of New Zealand.
Where the Tenure Unravelled
The final stretch of de Silva's captaincy was marked by a string of defeats. Sri Lanka lost four consecutive Tests in South Africa and Australia through late 2024 and early 2025. A 0-1 series defeat to the West Indies away from home followed, and his last assignment ended in a 0-1 home loss to India. Sri Lanka did, however, avoid a series whitewash in Colombo, thanks to a standout performance from Sonal Dinusha.
What Comes Next
With de Silva's departure, Sri Lanka Cricket faces the task of identifying a new Test captain from a younger crop of players. The timing is notable — Sri Lanka have a demanding schedule ahead and the transition will need to be swift. Notably, this is the second change of Test captaincy leadership since 2024, underlining a period of flux at the top of Sri Lankan cricket.
Point of View
And the home defeat to India, define the endgame. Sri Lanka Cricket now faces a familiar dilemma — identifying a captain who can hold a young, inconsistent squad together across formats. The 'next generation' framing is noble, but the real test is whether SLC has a clear successor in mind or whether this announcement comes ahead of a prolonged search.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dhananjaya de Silva resign as Sri Lanka Test captain?
De Silva stepped down voluntarily, stating in a letter to the selection committee that 'the mantle should go down to the next generation.' He confirmed he remains available to play for Sri Lanka as a player.
How many Tests did Dhananjaya de Silva captain Sri Lanka in?
De Silva led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests, winning 7, since his appointment in January 2024. He scored 1,130 runs at an average of 36.45 as captain, with 3 centuries and 7 half-centuries.
What were the biggest wins under Dhananjaya de Silva's captaincy?
The standout results included a 10-wicket win over Afghanistan in February 2024, a 2-0 away sweep of Bangladesh, a historic Test victory over England at The Oval — Sri Lanka's first on English soil since 2014 — and a 2-0 home sweep of New Zealand.
Who did Dhananjaya de Silva replace as Sri Lanka Test captain?
De Silva succeeded Dimuth Karunaratne as Test captain in January 2024.
Who will be the next Sri Lanka Test captain?
Sri Lanka Cricket has not yet announced a replacement. De Silva's letter signals a preference for a younger candidate, but as of 8 October 2026, no successor has been named by the selection committee.
