Sri Lanka have reaffirmed their faith in under-pressure captain Charith Asalanka, backing him to lead the side through to the T20 World Cup that the island will co-host with India. Although he had been handed the reins for the current white-ball tour of Pakistan, Asalanka was withdrawn on the eve of the T20Is after Sri Lanka suffered a heavy 3–0 defeat in the ODI series.
The official explanation was that the captain, who returned home alongside fast bowler Asitha Fernando, was unwell. But those close to the team sensed there was more to his sudden departure than just an illness.
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Tour Turmoil and a Dressing-Room Divide
Asalanka had joined several senior players in urging Sri Lanka Cricket to call off the Pakistan tour after a bomb blast in Islamabad left the squad shaken. Even after receiving VVIP-level security assurances from the Pakistan government, the players stood firm. They relented only when the board threatened to proceed with replacements.
It was a captaincy test far from the field, one that underscored how leadership often means facing a turning pitch even before the first ball is bowled.
On-Field Form Adds to Pressure
Heading into the series, Asalanka was already under scrutiny. He remains Sri Lanka’s only presence in the ICC’s top-ten ODI batting rankings, but his T20 returns have been modest. During the recent Asia Cup, questions were raised about his tactical decisions, particularly his bowling changes.
Signs of a possible leadership shift appeared when selectors named former captain Dasun Shanaka as deputy for the T20 squad, while notably avoiding a vice-captain for the ODI team. Many believed the baton was about to be passed back to Shanaka for the World Cup.
Selector Intervention Ends Speculation
Sri Lanka’s faltering form in the ongoing tri-nation T20 series, with the team at risk of missing the final, sparked debate over whether a late captaincy overhaul would cause more harm than good. With the World Cup fast approaching, timing has become a critical factor.
Chairman of Selectors Upul Tharanga has now delivered the firmest indication yet that Asalanka will return as captain.
Dasun was only appointed as acting captain. We groomed Charith for the job and ahead of a World Cup, we can’t be making too many changes. One concern is that Charith hasn’t been among the runs in T20s, but he has experience and remains a vital member of the side,
Tharanga’s selection panel, whose term concludes in December, is expected to continue at least until the World Cup. Under their stewardship, players have been given extended opportunities to settle, and Sri Lanka have shown improvement in Tests and ODIs, though T20 cricket remains their stumbling block.
T20 is a format we’ve struggled in. Consistency is the key, that’s where we’ve been short. Home advantage will matter during the World Cup and we’ll be looking closely at a few areas.
Group B Outlook
Sri Lanka are pooled with Australia, Oman, Ireland and Zimbabwe in Group B. On paper, they should have a clear path to the second round, provided they find the stability they have been chasing.
