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Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as Sri Lanka's Test captain with immediate effect, bringing his two-and-a-half-year stint as the team's leader to an end. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the decision on Thursday, October 8, after the all-rounder informed the national selection committee of his decision.
De Silva took over the Test captaincy in January 2024 following Dimuth Karunaratne's departure from the role. He will continue to make himself available as a player in Test cricket.
Dhananjaya de Silva's record as Sri Lanka Test captain
De Silva led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests between 2024 and 2026. His record included seven wins, eight defeats and three draws, giving him a win percentage of 38.88. The 18 matches also put him among Sri Lanka's more experienced Test captains.
Sri Lanka have had several captains with longer and more successful records in Test cricket. Arjuna Ranatunga remains the country's most experienced Test captain, having led the side in 56 matches. Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene are tied for the most Test wins as Sri Lanka captain, with 18 victories each from 38 matches. Angelo Mathews won 13 Tests as captain, while Dimuth Karunaratne finished with 12 victories.
De Silva's captaincy also included some notable individual and team performances. Sri Lanka won their one-off Test against Afghanistan soon after he took charge and later secured a dominant victory over Bangladesh in March 2024. De Silva himself scored twin centuries in that Bangladesh Test, while Sri Lanka won by 328 runs.
Dhananjaya de Silva steps down as Sri Lanka Test captain
De Silva explained that his decision was based on his belief that the Test team should now be handed to the next generation. Rather than waiting for a future change, Dhananjaya de Silva chose to step aside immediately while remaining available to contribute with the bat and ball.
“It’s my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation,” de Silva said.
Sri Lanka Cricket thanked Dhananjaya de Silva for his contribution to the Test side and confirmed that the all-rounder would continue to be considered for national selection.
“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,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said.
Sri Lanka are yet to announce his successor. The timing means the selectors will now have to identify a new Test captain as the team moves into the next phase of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
Dhananjaya de Silva lost his last Test series against India
De Silva's final series as Sri Lanka Test captain came against India in August 2026. India won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs after posting 462 in their first innings and 193 in the second. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284 and 206, leaving India with a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Dhananjaya de Silva contributed a fighting 59 in Sri Lanka's second innings but was eventually dismissed by Manav Suthar as India completed the victory.
The second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo ended in a draw, meaning India took the series 1-0. De Silva scored 8 and 23 in that match, which became his final game as Sri Lanka's Test captain.
