Asia Cup 2025: Back up captain of each team

3. Sri Lanka — Kusal Mendis

Sri Lanka’s backup captaincy option for the Asia Cup 2025 could go-to wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis, with Charith Asalanka set to lead the team. Though Asalanka will be in the role, Mendis’s leadership experience for the Lankan Lions in the past makes him a reliable alternative if required.

The 30-year-old's first stint as captain came during the 2023 ODI World Cup after Dasun Shanaka’s injury, making it his first major assignment as senior team skipper. Across 16 ODIs as captain, the batter has registered eight wins and seven losses, giving him a win percentage of 53.33%, ranking him among the better-performing Sri Lankan captains with at least 15 matches. His captaincy record also includes leading Sri Lanka’s U-19 team at the 2014 World Cup and in the Lanka Premier League. Under his tenure, Sri Lanka enjoyed a string of home successes against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, though results abroad were mixed.