The 27-year-old middle-order batsman replaces Wanindu Hasaranga, who stepped down 11 days ago following Sri Lanka’s early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in June.
Asalanka has previously led Sri Lanka in two T20Is against Bangladesh earlier this year, due to Hasaranga’s suspension. He also led Jaffna Kings to the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 title victory recently.The board did not say if it was making changes to the ODI squad currently led by Kusal Mendis, while Dhananjaya de Silva remains Test captain.Meanwhile, former captain Dinesh Chandimal has been recalled after a two-year hiatus owing to his stellar form in the LPL 2024, where he scored 287 runs at a strike rate of 168.82.Notably, India also announced Suryakumar Yadav as their new T20I captain ahead of the series. The Indian team arrived on Monday ahead of the first of three T20 matches on Saturday at Pallekele in Kandy.Sri Lanka T20I squad for India seriesCharith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera and Binura Fernando