R Sridhar Appointed Sri Lanka’s Fielding Coach Until 2026 T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has bolstered its coaching staff by appointing former India fielding coach R Sridhar as the national team’s new fielding coach. His contract will run through the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in March 2026.

Sridhar brings a wealth of high-level experience, having served as India’s fielding coach from 2014 to 2021, a period marked by significant improvement in the team’s fielding standards. Most recently, he worked as a consultant coach with the Afghanistan national team.

In an official statement, Sridhar expressed his vision for the role, emphasizing a nurturing approach over a rigid system. “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. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s traditional fielding strengths “quick hands, sharp reflexes, and fearless intent” as a foundation to build upon through realistic, match-simulated training.

Sridhar is already familiar with the Sri Lankan setup, having conducted a specialized 10-day fielding camp at the National High Performance Centre earlier this year. His immediate focus will be on the upcoming tours of Pakistan and England, before steering the team’s fielding preparations for the global tournament next year.

                                               

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