In a groundbreaking development for Sri Lankan cricket, the newly appointed selectors are reportedly contemplating the appointment of three captains for the different formats of the sport - Test, One Day Internationals (ODI), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20I).
Led by Upul Tharanga, the new selection committee recently convened to discuss the possibility of having separate skippers for each format, a move that is expected to rejuvenate Sri Lanka's cricketing prowess.
Sources within the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Board claim that Dhananjaya De Silva is the frontrunner to take over the Test captaincy role from Dimuth Karunaratne. De Silva's impressive performances and leadership qualities have propelled him into the spotlight as a potential Test leader.
For the limited-overs formats, Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga are expected to be named captains for the ODI and T20I teams, respectively. Mendis, who has showcased his prowess on the international stage, is set to take over the responsibilities of leading the ODI side, while Hasaranga, a promising all-rounder, is anticipated to captain the T20I team.
Besides, Kusal Mendis is likely to be appointed as vice-captain of the Test team, solidifying his crucial role within the squad. Meanwhile, Charith Asalanka, an exciting talent, will purportedly serve as the vice-captain for the T20I and ODI sides.
The selectors are expected to make their final decision during their upcoming meeting next week, which will also see them finalize the squad for the forthcoming ODI and T20I series against Zimbabwe.
This potential development has attracted significant attention within the cricketing fraternity, as Sri Lanka aims to revamp their national team and improve their performance across all formats. The new system of multiple captains is viewed as an innovative strategy that could potentially enhance strategic thinking and adaptability within the Sri Lankan cricket setup.
