R Sridhar Becomes Sri Lanka's Fielding Coach for T20 World Cup 2026

The international cricket scenario is changing, with teams now focusing more on structured teams, proper fitness programs, and coaching support to improve their running and long-term results. With that scenario in mind and also the tenure of the previous coaching staff expiring and management seeking new results, teams are adjusting their approach to stay competitive across formats, especially with the major ICC tournaments coming up.

In the same direction, Sri Lanka cricket team has also started making important changes in its cricket setup as it looks to improve its overall team standings. Sri Lanka were once considered among the best cricket teams in the world, known for skillful players and strong performances.

However, in recent years, the team's performance has lost consistency, resulting in a slip in rankings. To cope with the same, and to enhance their overall standings, R Sridhar has been appointed as Sri Lanka's fielding coach ahead of the upcoming tours and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. His role will mainly be helping the team improve on the fielding standards and helping players adapt to modern international demands.

R Sridhar Becomes Sri Lanka Fielding Coach

Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed R Sridhar as the national team’s fielding coach until the completion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. His appointment came into effect from December 11 and will end a couple of days after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, on March 10.

Commenting on his appointment, Sridhar said: “Sri Lankan players have always stood for instinctive brilliance, resilience, and collective spirit. My role is not to impose a system, but to nurture an environment where athleticism, awareness, and pride in the field can grow naturally.”

R Sridhar will now work with the team during the upcoming series against Pakistan and England, followed by World Cup preparations. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that his role is focused on raising fielding standards, an area where the team has shown inconsistency in recent seasons. Sridhar is no stranger to the Sri Lankan cricket setup. Earlier this year, Sridhar was introduced to the Sri Lankan setup by conducting a 10-day specialized fielding program at the National High Performance Centre.

R Sridhar as India's Fielding Coach Experience

R Sridhar brings a strong experience to the role. Before being appointed as the Sri Lanka new fielding coach, he served as India’s fielding coach from 2014-2021 where he worked with some of the best cricketers in the world. During this period, he was part of over 300 international matches across formats and worked during two ODI and two T20I World Cup campaigns.

With vast experience at the highest level and international stars, Sridhar, as fielding coach, is expected to help Sri Lanka address their key gaps in the fielding department.

Besides India, Sridhar also served as the Afghanistan men’s cricket team’s assistant coach for the side’s one-off Test match against New Zealand in Noida and the three-match ODI series against South Africa in September. With Sridhar now being a part of Sri Lanka coaching staff, their team hopes to improve their fielding and enhance overall performance, regaining its earlier standards.