According to a statement released by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Charith Asalanka has been selected as Hasaranga and Mendis’ deputy.
Ahead of their series against Zimbabwe in January, Sri Lanka named all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga as captain of their T20I team on Saturday. Kusal Mendis will skipper the ODI lineup.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced in a statement that Charith Asalanka has been selected as Hasaranga and Mendis’ deputy.
Hasaranga, who sustained an injury in the Lanka Premier League in August, will make his return after missing the Asia Cup and the 50-overs World Cup earlier this year.
He replaces regular captain Dasun Shanaka, who was included in the preliminary selections for three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and as many Twenty20 matches on home soil against the African team beginning on January 6.
Two matches into the World Cup in India, Mendis assumed the ODI captaincy after Shanaka was forced out of the competition with a thigh injury.
With two victories from nine games, Sri Lanka finished ninth out of ten teams in a poor campaign.
In response, the SLC announced the formation of a new selection committee, which is headed by former opener Upul Tharanga and comprises former player Ajantha Mendis.
Additionally, it hired batting legend and former captain Sanath Jayasuriya as a “cricket consultant” for a duration of one year.