Middle-order batsman Kamindu Mendis has expressed his continued dedication to Sri Lanka’s cricket team despite being removed from the vice-captaincy role just four months after his appointment. The decision to replace Mendis with former captain Charith Asalanka, who will also lead the T20 side in Sri Lanka’s upcoming tour of England, comes amid the absence of regular skipper Kusal Mendis due to injury.
When asked about the change, Kamindu declined to comment directly on the selectors’ decision, emphasizing instead his focus on the team’s objectives. He affirmed that losing the deputy captaincy would not diminish his commitment or influence his approach to the forthcoming series. “That experience will definitely help us to do well in this series,” he said.
Sri Lanka is preparing for a tour of England that will feature three T20 internationals and an equal number of 50-over matches. The series is viewed as a crucial part of the team’s preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup scheduled for next year in South Africa. Kamindu highlighted the importance of playing away matches, noting that the majority of Sri Lanka’s upcoming fixtures are on foreign soil. “If you look at our calendar, most of our matches are away tours, and this is definitely a good thing for us as we prepare for the World Cup,” he added.
Reflecting on their recent performances, Kamindu pointed to progress in white-ball cricket over the past two years. “We have shown good improvement, and this tour will be a good stepping stone for us as we look ahead to future series and the World Cup,” he said.
Sri Lanka will begin the England tour without Kusal Mendis for the T20 format owing to injury, though the regular captain is expected to recover in time for the subsequent ODI matches. Recurring injuries to key personnel continue to pose challenges, but Kamindu saw a silver lining in the opportunities created for emerging players. “Yes, it is a problem, but it is something that every team has to deal with. Sometimes you have to leave the team because of an accident, and sometimes because of a muscle injury,” he explained. “The positive is that this has created opportunities for young players to come into the team. Those who did well in the Lanka Premier League have got a chance, and that is a good thing.”
He expressed hope for the speedy recovery of the injured players to strengthen the squad moving forward. The tour of England will be a key test for Sri Lanka as they seek to build momentum ahead of major international tournaments.