Sri Lanka Cricket has taken a decisive step in its preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by appointing R Sridhar as the national team’s fielding coach. Sridhar’s tenure will run until the conclusion of the global tournament, underlining SLC’s focus on sharpening one of the side’s traditional strengths ahead of the marquee event.
A highly respected figure in international coaching circles, Sridhar brings with him vast experience at the highest level. A BCCI Level 3 qualified coach, he served as India’s men’s team fielding coach from 2014 to 2021, a period during which India earned a reputation as one of the sharpest fielding units in world cricket. More recently, he worked as a consultant coach with the Afghanistan team.
Sridhar will immediately begin working with the Sri Lankan squad, with a clear focus on improving fielding standards during the upcoming tours of Pakistan and England. Those assignments are expected to play a crucial role in fine-tuning the team’s athleticism and awareness ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Speaking after his appointment, Sridhar emphasised the importance of preserving Sri Lanka’s natural fielding instincts while building a stronger collective mindset.
“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,” he said in an SLC release.
The former India coach is no stranger to the Sri Lankan setup. Earlier this year, Sridhar conducted a 10-day specialised fielding programme at the National High Performance Centre, giving him valuable insight into the current crop of players and their development pathways.
“Fielding thrives when players feel connected to the ball, to each other, and to the moment,” Sridhar added, highlighting his philosophy of creating realistic, match-like training environments. He believes Sri Lanka’s traditional strengths — quick hands, sharp reflexes and fearless intent — can be further enhanced with the right preparation.
With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 drawing closer, Sri Lanka’s move to bring in an experienced specialist reflects a broader push to compete at the highest level. As the team builds towards the tournament, improved fielding could prove a decisive factor in their campaign on the global stage.
