Kusal Mendis to lead Sri Lanka in first Test against Pakistan
Kusal Mendis will captain Sri Lanka in the first Test against Pakistan at Rawalpindi on Monday. He replaced Dhananjaya de Silva as Test captain on October 8.
Kusal Mendis will captain Sri Lanka in the first Test against Pakistan starting on Monday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka Cricket appointed him as Test captain on October 8 after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down, saying he wanted to hand leadership to the next generation. Mendis has played 75 Tests and 343 international matches across formats.
Mendis has captained Sri Lanka in 22 ODIs since October 2023, recording 10 wins and 10 defeats. He said the side is balanced with both batting and bowling, naming Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva in the batting line-up. The pace attack includes Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka, while Prabath Jayasuriya leads the spin attack.
Mendis said Pakistan is likely to prepare a different pitch for the Tests and that Sri Lanka has a senior bowling unit with extensive first-class and international experience. The series marks Pakistan's first since a 3-0 whitewash in England.
CricHubb Take
Mendis's appointment came after Sri Lanka failed to win a Test series in 2024 against West Indies or India, so his first assignment is not just about results but about proving the next generation is ready to lead.