Arachchige will captain a 15-member squad featuring several new faces as Sri Lanka rest most of their first-choice T20I players.
Niroshan Dickwella has been recalled to Sri Lanka’s T20I squad for the Asian Games men’s cricket competition, marking his return to the format for the first time since 2021.
Ashen Bandara also returns to the international setup, while Sahan Arachchige has been named captain of a 15-member squad that includes four players in line to make their T20I debuts.
Sineth Jayawardena, Sohan de Livera, Wanuja Sahan and Garuka Sanketh have all received maiden T20I call-ups as Sri Lanka opt to rest most of their established T20I players.
Dickwella and Bandara return
Dickwella’s inclusion marks his first T20I selection since 2021. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter endured an inconsistent LPL 2026 campaign, scoring 110 runs for Dambulla Sixers at a strike rate of 142.85.
Bandara, meanwhile, last represented Sri Lanka in 2023. He played three matches for Colombo Kaps during this year’s LPL and scored 28 runs.
Sri Lanka have nevertheless opted for the experience of the pair as they prepare for their Asian Games campaign.
New faces earn their opportunity
The squad contains several players who have impressed in domestic cricket.
Jayawardena and de Livera were among the leading run-scorers in the Major Clubs T20 Tournament. Jayawardena topped the batting charts with 372 runs at a strike rate of 167.56, while de Livera scored 307 runs at 156.63.
Jayawardena, who captained Sri Lanka at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, produced one of the tournament’s standout performances when he smashed 82 from 32 balls to help Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club defeat Sinhalese Sports Club in the final.
Fast bowler Sanketh also impressed with his pace during the LPL. Although he went wicketless in four appearances, he subsequently claimed 11 wickets in the Major Clubs T20 Tournament for Moors Sports Club.
Viyaskanth rewarded for domestic form
Legspinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth has also earned a place after narrowly missing selection for Sri Lanka’s England T20I series.
His form in domestic cricket strengthened his case, with Viyaskanth taking a tournament-leading 17 wickets in the Major Clubs T20 competition.
Allrounder Chamika Karunaratne returns after an impressive LPL campaign with Galle Gallant. He scored 253 runs at a strike rate of 157.14 and played an important role in their run to the title.
The bowling group also includes ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake, legspinner Dushan Hemantha, and experienced pace options Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando.
Arachchige gets another chance to lead
Arachchige will captain Sri Lanka after also leading the side at the previous edition of the Asian Games.
Sri Lanka have received direct qualification to the quarter-finals and will begin their campaign on September 29 in Nisshin.
At the previous Asian Games, Arachchige’s side played only one match, losing to Afghanistan and exiting the competition.
With several established T20I players rested, the tournament will provide an opportunity for a new generation of Sri Lankan players to make their mark on the international stage.
Sri Lanka’s Asian Games squad
Sahan Arachchige (C), Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Lasith Croospulle, Sineth Jayawardena, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sohan de Livera, Ashen Bandara, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Ratnayake, Wanuja Sahan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushan Hemantha, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, Garuka Sanketh
