Dasun Shanaka Returns for Sri Lanka's England Tour

Sri Lanka are turning to experience and recent form for a demanding tour of England, with former captain Dasun Shanaka recalled to the ODI squad and Charith Asalanka restored as a central figure across formats.

Shanaka, who has not played an ODI since January 2024, returns to bolster a middle order that has lacked stability in recent months. The 32-year-old has 71 ODIs behind him and has captained the side in 43 of those, but his batting record – an average of 22.39 – leaves him with something to prove in a World Cup build-up that will not forgive passengers.

His recall comes at the expense of pacers Milan Rathnayake and Pramod Madushan, both omitted from the group that edged a rain-hit three-match ODI series 1-0 in the Caribbean in June. The selectors have also turned to fresh spin, handing a first ODI call-up to uncapped legspinner Sachindu Colombage.

The ODI squad for England reads: 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.

Asalanka’s name sits prominently there, but it is in the T20I group that his resurgence truly stands out.

Asalanka leads T20I reshuffle

Dropped for the T20Is against West Indies, Asalanka has forced his way back through weight of runs in the Lanka Premier League. For Galle Gallants, he piled up 385 runs at an average of 38.50 and a blistering strike-rate of 153.38, hammering four half-centuries on the way to the title.

That form has not only earned him a T20I recall; it has cemented his status as Kusal Mendis’ deputy for the entire tour. Asalanka will serve as vice-captain in both white-ball formats, a clear show of faith in his growing influence within the dressing room.

The selectors have also rewarded LPL form at the top of the order. Lahiru Udara, the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 434 runs, returns to the international stage in the T20I squad. His only previous appearance in the format came at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, a curious footnote that now has the chance to become a proper chapter.

All-rounder Janith Liyanage, who continues to push his case across formats, is included in the T20I group, as is ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake, whose unusual skillset gives Sri Lanka an extra tactical card on English surfaces that can change character within an evening.

Making way are Lasith Croospulle, Pavan Rathnayake, Milan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka, all omitted from the T20I touring party that travelled to the Caribbean.

The T20I squad for England: 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.

Spin, pace, and English conditions

The shape of both squads underlines Sri Lanka’s plan for England: a heavy spin presence built around Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage, with Colombage and Tharindu Rathnayake adding variety, backed by a pace group led by Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka in ODIs, and supported by the slingy Nuwan Thushara and left-armer Binura Fernando in T20Is.

It is a blend designed for flexibility. The September schedule will bring cool evenings, potentially tacky surfaces under lights, and the sort of changeable conditions that can turn a match in a spell. Sri Lanka have armed themselves with options in almost every department.

Tour schedule set

Sri Lanka’s tour of England begins on September 15 with a three-match T20I series, taking them to Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester. Those games will set the tone for a group still finding its identity under Kusal Mendis’ captaincy.

The ODI leg follows quickly. Three matches are slated for Chester-le-Street, Leeds and The Oval, starting on September 22 – a compact, high-stakes window as Sri Lanka edge closer to next year’s ODI World Cup.

For Shanaka, it is a shot at redemption. For Asalanka, a chance to turn domestic dominance into global authority. For Sri Lanka, this tour will reveal whether this evolving core can carry them into a World Cup year with genuine belief.