New Delhi: After recently losing 1-0 in the home Test series against India, the Sri Lankan cricket team has now moved towards its next stage. The Sri Lankan team, which was successful in drawing the match in the last match of the Test series on the basis of Sonal Dinusha's fighting century, now has to play a series of three T20 and three ODI matches on the soil of England. For this important tour, Sri Lanka Cricket Board has announced its limited overs team, the command of which has been handed over to wicketkeeper batsman Kusal Mendis. The tour will start with the first T20 match to be played in Southampton on 15 September.
Kusal Mendis will take over the captaincy
Charith Asalanka has been made the vice-captain in both formats, former captain Dasun Shanaka has managed to make a comeback in the ODI team and will also remain a part of the T20 team.
Lahiru Udara and Tharindu Rathnayake have been included in the T20 team, who will showcase their spin and batting in the conditions of England. Pawan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka have been included for the ODI series.
full tour schedule
The Sri Lankan team has failed to win any bilateral series on English soil for the last 12 years. In such a situation, a big responsibility will be on the shoulders of captain Kusal Mendis to end this long drought. Besides, this tour is also being considered as Sri Lanka's first big step towards preparations for the ODI World Cup to be held in the year 2027. As per the tour schedule, the three matches of the T20 series will be played on September 15 (Southampton), September 17 (Cardiff) and September 19 (Manchester) respectively. After this, the ODI series will start on 22 September at Chester-le-Street, while the second match will be played on 24 September at Leeds and the final match will be played on 27 September at The Oval.
Sri Lanka's squads that will play three T20Is and as many ODIs in England 🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/hepq0Ruhrg
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) September 2, 2026
Both teams selected for England tour
ODI Team: Kusal Mendis (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kamendu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Zenith Liyanage, Pawan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Vellage, Mahesh Tikshina, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Ishan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
T20 team: Kusal Mendis (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kamendu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Zenith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Vellage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahish Tikshina, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Ishan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Binaura Fernando.