Tharanga weighs on Sri Lanka captaincy change ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup

Just two months before co-hosting the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka may undergo a dramatic captaincy change. Chief selector Upul Tharanga has confirmed that the panel is actively looking at alternatives to captain Charith Asalanka, whois currently under pressure.

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Tharanga highlighted that “no decision” had been taken, despite Asalanka’s underwhelming performance and his early withdrawal from the ongoing tri-series in Pakistan, which has sparked rumours regarding his future.

“We have to weigh our best options after this series,” Tharanga told ESPNcricinfo when asked if Sri Lanka were contemplating a switch in leadership. “With a World Cup so close we can't make a lot of big changes. The selectors, after talking to the coach, will have to make a decision on what's best for the team.”

Tharangastated that Asalanka’s return from Pakistan last week was not the beginning of discussions about a new captain. He disclosed that the selection of Dasun Shanaka, the former white-ball captain of Sri Lanka, as the tour’s vice captain was intentional, “That was to give us another option.”