Colombo, July 23: After Sri Lanka's poor show in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, spin-bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga recently stepped down as the T20I skipper of the national team.
After Hasaranga's resignation, Sri Lanka cricket board on Tuesday named Kariyawasam Indipalage Charith Asalanka, as the new captain of the shortest format. Asalanka have led Sri Lanka in two T20Is against Bangladesh earlier this year.
Mostly known as Charith Asalanka in the cricketing world, the top order Lankan batsman will lead the island nation in the three-match T20I home series against India.
However, Sri Lanka cricket board has not specified if there will be any change in captaincy in other formats. Kusal Mendis is leading the ODI team, while Dhananjaya de Silva has been captaining Sri Lanka's Test squad.
As per schedule, led by new T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, India will play three T20Is in Sri Lanka. Interestingly, like Asalanka, Suryakumar too has led his national side on an earlier tour.
Later, India will also play three ODIs in the island nation. Rohit Sharma will lead Team India in the ODIs.
India, who are the reigning T20 world champions, arrived in Lanka Monday for the first of three T20 matches, which will be played on Saturday at Pallekele in Kandy. The three-match ODI series will be played at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo from August 2.
As per Asalanka's career statistics, he has played 47 T20Is for Sri Lanka and with a highest score of unbeaten 80, he has amassed 1061 runs.
Similarly, in 59 ODIs, Asalanka has scored 1918 runs. In his three Test match appearances for his national team, he has a total score of 88 runs.
Though he bowls right arm off-break, but does not bowl very often in international matches. He however, has five ODI scalps against his name.
