With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to begin on February 7, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has made a strategic move by appointing R. Sridhar—former Indian fielding coach—as the national team’s fielding coach until the conclusion of the tournament.
Sridhar, who served as India’s fielding coach from 2014 to 2021, was instrumental during Virat Kohli’s captaincy and Ravi Shastri’s tenure as head coach. Earlier this year, he conducted a 10-day specialized fielding camp at Sri Lanka’s National High-Performance Center, showcasing his commitment to enhancing the team’s standards.
Official Statement from Sri Lanka Cricket
SLC said in a release, “Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announces the appointment of R. Sridhar as the fielding coach of the Sri Lanka national team until the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Sridhar will focus on improving the fielding skills of the national team and will work closely with players during upcoming series against Pakistan and England, leading into the World Cup.”
The statement added, “Sridhar, a BCCI Level-3 coach, served India in over 300 international matches, significantly contributing to the team’s fielding standards.”
Duration and Role
Sridhar’s tenure with Sri Lanka runs from December 11, 2025, to March 10, 2026, covering series against Pakistan and England and culminating in the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. India and Sri Lanka could face each other post group-stage in the tournament.
Sridhar’s Vision
Commenting on his new role, Sridhar said, “I aim to create an environment within the team that naturally fosters sportsmanship, awareness, and pride in the game. Fielding flourishes when players feel connected—to the ball, to each other, and to the present moment.”
With Sridhar on board, Sri Lanka hopes to sharpen their fielding edge, potentially gaining a strategic advantage against teams like India ahead of the T20 World Cup.
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