The cricket world is buzzing. In a decision that’s equal parts bold and controversial, Sri Lanka’s selectors have handed the reins for the 2026 T20 World Cup to a familiar face: Dasun Shanaka . This isn’t a promotion; it’s a restoration. Shanaka has been named captain of the preliminary 25-member squad, replacing the incumbent Charith Asalanka, who will now focus solely on his batting .
So, what triggered this sudden shift? Was it just a simple case of poor form, or is there a deeper, more calculated strategy at play? Let’s pull back the curtain on one of the most intriguing captaincy changes of the year.
Table of Contents
- The Official Announcement
- Why ‘Dasun Shanaka Captain’? The Key Factors
- Charith Asalanka’s Form Crisis: A Statistical Reality
- Shanaka’s World Cup Pedigree: A Tangible Asset
- What the Squad Reveals
- Expert Analysis: A Risk Worth Taking?
- Conclusion
- Sources
The Official Announcement
The news broke on December 19, 2025. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the newly appointed chief selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe, confirmed the appointment of Dasun Shanaka as the leader for the upcoming global showpiece . The decision came after a thorough review of the team’s performance and future requirements, with the official statement highlighting the need for experienced leadership in high-pressure scenarios .
Why ‘Dasun Shanaka Captain’? The Key Factors
The selectors didn’t make this call in a vacuum. Their reasoning was brutally pragmatic, revolving around two core pillars:
- Experience Over Potential: Asalanka, while a promising leader, was a first-time captain on the world’s biggest stage. Shanaka, on the other hand, is a veteran of three previous T20 World Cups—in 2016, 2021, and 2022 . This isn’t just about playing; it’s about having felt the unique pressure-cooker environment of a World Cup, having led a team to victory in 2022 . That lived experience is considered invaluable by the selection panel .
- Relieving Pressure to Unlock Potential: Wickramasinghe stated that removing the captaincy burden from Asalanka was a strategic move to allow him to “return to his best as a batter” . It’s a recognition that the dual responsibility of leading and performing at the top of the order was proving too much in his current form.
Charith Asalanka’s Form Crisis: A Statistical Reality
Numbers don’t lie, and Asalanka’s 2025 T20I record paints a concerning picture. Across 12 innings in the year, he managed only 156 runs, averaging a paltry 15.60 with a strike rate of 121.90 . To put it in perspective, this included a string of low scores, including a 5(9) against India in the Asia Cup and a 20(19) against Pakistan . His struggles were not a one-off blip but a persistent trend, making him a liability in the crucial power-play overs .
While he had a strong showing in the SLC T20 League with 138 runs , his international output simply didn’t meet the standards expected of a captain and a top-order anchor.
Shanaka’s World Cup Pedigree: A Tangible Asset
By contrast, Shanaka’s World Cup CV is impressive. As captain in the 2022 edition, he led Sri Lanka to their first-ever T20 World Cup title, a monumental achievement . His personal performances in the tournament, though not explosive, were effective: he scored 174 runs in the competition with a healthy strike rate and, more importantly, marshalled his resources brilliantly .
His overall T20 career stats—1,634 runs in 109 matches and 72 wickets with his handy medium-pace—show a versatile all-rounder who understands the game’s tactical ebb and flow [[18], [24]]. In the high-stakes, unpredictable world of T20 cricket, having a captain who has “been there, done that” is seen as a massive advantage.
What the Squad Reveals
The 25-man preliminary squad, which includes heavyweights like Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis , signals a blend of youth and experience. The inclusion of seasoned campaigners alongside emerging talents suggests that under Shanaka’s leadership, Sri Lanka is aiming for a balanced, no-nonsense approach. It’s a squad built for a tournament, not for a bilateral series, indicating a clear, tournament-focused game plan.
Expert Analysis: A Risk Worth Taking?
From an expert standpoint, this move is a fascinating one. On one hand, demoting a young captain after a relatively short tenure could be seen as a lack of faith in long-term development. It disrupts continuity.
On the other hand, the T20 World Cup is a unique beast. It’s a short, intense sprint where experience, tactical nous, and the ability to handle chaos often trump raw talent and potential. By appointing Shanaka, Sri Lanka is betting on proven leadership to navigate the minefield of the group stage and beyond.
Think of it like this: in a critical surgery, you want the most experienced surgeon in the room, not the brilliant resident. That’s the logic behind the Dasun Shanaka captain decision. It’s a pragmatic, win-now strategy for a team desperate to reassert itself on the global stage after their historic 2022 triumph .
This also opens up an incredible redemption arc for Charith Asalanka. Freed from captaincy, can he return to the destructive batter who lit up the 2022 tournament? That’s a subplot worth watching closely [INTERNAL_LINK:charith-asalanka-profile].
Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s decision to go with Dasun Shanaka captain for the T20 World Cup 2026 is a high-stakes, high-reward gamble. It’s a move that prioritizes immediate, tangible success—leveraging World Cup-winning experience—over a longer-term leadership project. While Asalanka’s recent batting slump was the catalyst, the selectors’ true motivation appears to be a laser focus on winning the ultimate prize once again. Whether this bold call pays off will be one of the most captivating storylines of the tournament. One thing’s for sure: the stakes have never been higher, and Dasun Shanaka is back where he feels most at home: in the eye of the storm.
Sources
- Sri Lanka squad for T20 World Cup 2026 announced; Dasun Shanaka named captain.
- Charith Asalanka has been removed as the captain and it will be former captain Dasun Shanaka.
- Sri Lanka’s newly appointed Chief Selector, Pramodya Wickramasinghe, has confirmed that Dasun Shanaka will remain captain.
- Charith Asalanka’s form has been a major concern in 2025, with just 156 runs from 12 T20 innings.
- Recent matches: India vs Sri Lanka: 5(9); Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: 20(19).
- Charith Asalanka scored 138 runs in the SLC T20 League 2025.
- He explained that Asalanka’s recent struggles with the bat and Shanaka’s experience of featuring in three previous World Cups influenced the decision.
- Shanaka’s experience in playing three previous World Cups were factors in making the decision.
- ICC World Twenty20 stats for Dasun Shanaka.
- Dasun Shanaka produced a solid all-round performance as Sri Lanka won the 2022 T20 World Cup.
- ‘Worried’ Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka reveals main concern (2022 T20 World Cup context).
- For deeper statistical analysis: ESPNcricinfo Player Profiles.