Colombo, 08 October (H.S.): Experienced Sri Lankan all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva has stepped down as captain of the Sri Lanka Test team with immediate effect. De Silva took over the Test captaincy in January 2024 and has now decided to hand the responsibility to the next generation.

According to Sri Lanka Cricket, de Silva, in a letter addressed to the Selection Committee, said he believed the time had come for the leadership mantle to be passed on. “It’s my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation,” he said. He has also confirmed that he remains available to represent Sri Lanka as a player.

Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva thanked him for his contribution to Test cricket and his leadership of the national side. “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,” Ashley de Silva said.

Dhananjaya de Silva led Sri Lanka in 18 Tests as captain, securing seven victories. During his tenure, he scored 1,130 runs at an average of 36.45 and claimed nine wickets at a bowling average of 44.44. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka recorded seven wins, eight defeats and three draws.

The year 2024 proved particularly successful for de Silva as captain. Sri Lanka completed a 2-0 Test-series victory over Bangladesh. They subsequently defeated England in the third Test at The Oval despite losing the series 1-2, before completing a 2-0 home-series triumph over New Zealand.

De Silva’s decision to relinquish the captaincy comes amid a mixed run of results for Sri Lanka in Test cricket. The team suffered 0-1 series defeats against both the West Indies and India this year. Sri Lanka’s two-Test series against India in August ended 1-0 in India’s favour, with the second Test drawn.

Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed Kusal Mendis as the new Test captain. The upcoming two-Test series in Pakistan will be his first assignment in the role.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar