Dasun Shanaka named Sri Lanka T20 World Cup captain

News has emerged that Dasun Shanaka named Sri Lanka T20 World Cup captain, and it’s fair to say the announcement has sparked lively debate among fans and experts alike. This isn’t just a box-ticking reshuffle or a cosmetic change. It’s a calculated move that plays a key role in Sri Lanka’s build-up to one of the biggest tournaments in world cricket.

Dasun Shanaka Named Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Captain: What Happened In The Sri Lanka Camp

Pramodya Wickramasinghe, who recently returned to work with the national side and is in charge of player selection, officially announced that Dasun Shanaka named Sri Lanka T20 World Cup captain. He replaces Charith Asalanka, who had previously been leading the team in the T20 format.

Explaining the call, Wickramasinghe said the decision was made after weighing up the current atmosphere in the squad and the specific demands of a major global tournament.

Shanaka is a player who’s already been through the pressure cooker of World Cups and knows exactly what it takes to lead a team when the stakes are sky-high. At a tournament like this, the captain’s job goes way beyond individual form. It’s about reading the game, managing people, and making the right calls on the fly, he said.

He was also keen to stress that the change does not signal a loss of faith in Asalanka. Charith remains a crucial part of this team. But right now, we believe Dasun’s experience will serve us better in the captain’s role, the selector added, spelling out the thinking behind the move.

Wickramasinghe also touched on a broader shift in how responsibility is handled within the Sri Lanka setup. According to him, the team is changing its approach to accountability, especially when it comes to player fitness. He made it clear that stricter standards are on the way.

If players fail to meet the required fitness benchmarks, the responsibility will no longer fall solely on the individual. In that case, the fitness coach will be held accountable, he stated, underlining a tougher, more structured system. Finally, Dasun Shanaka named Sri Lanka T20 World Cup captain.

When And Where The T20 World Cup Will Take Place

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will run from 7 February to 8 March 2026. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the opening group-stage matches scheduled for 8 February. Sri Lanka will compete in Group B, alongside

• Australia
• Ireland
• Oman
• Sri Lanka
• Zimbabwe

Sri Lanka has named a 25-man preliminary squad for the tournament. The list includes Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, and Traveen Mathew.