R. Sridhar Appointed as Sri Lanka's Fielding Coach Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

R. Sridhar Takes Charge as Fielding Coach

Colombo, December 17: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially named R. Sridhar as the fielding coach for the national team, a role he will hold until the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 concludes.

His tenure began on December 11 and will extend until shortly after the T20 World Cup, which is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka, wrapping up on March 10.

Sridhar, who holds a BCCI Level 3 coaching certification, brings a wealth of international experience, having previously served as India’s fielding coach for over 300 international matches from 2014 to 2021, including two editions each of the ODI and T20I World Cups.

In his new position, Sridhar aims to enhance the fielding capabilities of the Sri Lankan team, collaborating with players during upcoming tours against Pakistan and England, as well as preparing for the T20 World Cup.

Upon his appointment, Sridhar expressed, “Sri Lankan players are known for their instinctive brilliance, resilience, and collective spirit. My goal is not to enforce a system but to cultivate an environment where athleticism, awareness, and pride in fielding can flourish organically.”

This appointment marks a return for Sridhar, who previously conducted a specialized fielding camp at Sri Lanka Cricket’s National High Performance Centre in May.

During that program, he worked with the Sri Lanka National Men’s team and other squads, focusing on fielding drills, skill-specific training, and simulating match scenarios to mimic real-game conditions.

Sridhar collaborated closely with national, high-performance, and club coaches throughout his 10-day engagement with Sri Lanka Cricket.

“Fielding improves when players feel a connection to the ball, each other, and the moment. Sri Lanka’s traditional strengths—quick hands, sharp reflexes, and fearless intent—can be further developed by creating realistic, game-like learning environments,” he added.

Last year, Sridhar served as the assistant coach for the Afghanistan men’s cricket team during a one-off Test against New Zealand in Noida and a three-match ODI series against South Africa in September.