Dasun Shanaka Returns for England Tour as Sri Lanka Leans on Experience

Sri Lanka have turned to familiar leaders and fresh domestic stars for their tour of England, recalling former captains Dasun Shanaka and Charith Asalanka in a twin bid for stability and spark ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup.

Shanaka returns to shore up ODI middle order

Shanaka, out of the ODI side since January 2024, has been drafted back into the squad for the three-match series in England, a move that instantly stiffens a fragile middle order.

He brings 71 ODIs of experience and the weight of 43 games as captain, even if his batting returns – an average of 22.39 – still trail his reputation as a game-changer. Sri Lanka, though, are clearly betting on his temperament and know-how in English conditions as much as his numbers.

The ODI group also features one uncapped name: legspinner Sachindu Colombage, who steps into a spin unit already carrying Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage. That’s a clear signal of intent: Sri Lanka want variety, control and wicket-taking options in the middle overs, even in England.

Pace bowlers Milan Rathnayake and Pramod Madushan, part of the squad that edged a rain-hit series 1-0 in the Caribbean in June, miss out this time.

Sri Lanka squad for England ODIs: Kusal Mendis (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

With Kusal Mendis and Asalanka at the top of the leadership chain and Shanaka back in the mix, Sri Lanka’s ODI dressing room suddenly looks rich in tactical voices. The question now is whether that experience can translate into runs and composure under English skies.

Asalanka headlines T20I reshuffle after LPL surge

If Shanaka’s return steadies the ODIs, Asalanka’s recall does the heavy lifting for the T20I leg.

Left out of the T20I squad for the West Indies tour, Asalanka has forced his way back through a powerful Lanka Premier League campaign. For Galle Gallants, he piled up 385 runs at 38.50 with a blistering strike-rate of 153.38, hammering four half-centuries and driving them to the title. Those numbers left the selectors with no real choice.

He now comes back not just as a batter in form but as vice-captain across the entire England tour, reinforcing his growing influence alongside Mendis, who continues as captain in both formats.

Lahiru Udara, the leading run-scorer in the LPL with 434 runs, also earns a T20I call-up. His only previous T20I appearance came at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou; this time he arrives as a domestic standout expected to challenge for a top-order berth.

All-rounder Janith Liyanage is included again, while ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake joins a T20 spin group already boasting Hasaranga and Theekshana. On the flip side, Lasith Croospulle, Pavan Rathnayake, Milan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka, all part of the Caribbean tour, drop out of the T20 squad.

Sri Lanka squad for England T20Is: Kusal Mendis (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando

The blend is striking: LPL form horses, seasoned internationals, and specialist quicks like Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando all chasing spots in what could soon resemble Sri Lanka’s core T20 World Cup group.

England tour sets the stage

The tour opens with three T20Is, starting on September 15 and spread across Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester. White-ball cricket in early autumn, under lights, against a hardened England outfit: it’s as stern a test as Sri Lanka could ask for.

The ODIs then move to Chester-le-Street, Leeds and The Oval, beginning September 22, offering a range of conditions from the chill of the north-east to the truer surfaces of London.

By the time they leave England, Sri Lanka will know far more about their leadership axis of Mendis and Asalanka, the second coming of Shanaka, and whether LPL form can truly survive the jump from franchise noise to international scrutiny.