Former India opener and ex-India batting coach Vikram Rathour joins Sri Lanka as batting coach on a consultancy basis, SLC confirmed on Thursday.
According to the official statement, Rathour’s appointment is primarily aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The 55-year-old will join the Sri Lankan squad on January 18 and remain with the team until March 10. The T20 World Cup final is scheduled for March 8.
Rathour’s tenure will begin just days before Sri Lanka’s home white-ball series against England, providing him with an immediate opportunity to work closely with the players ahead of the global 1hip structure as the team gears up for the World Cup.
Former Sri Lanka pace great Lasith Malinga has been retained as a consultant bowling coach, although his current arrangement is set to conclude before the start of the tournament. Meanwhile, former India fielding coach R.
Sridhar has been appointed as Sri Lanka’s fielding coach until the end of the T20 World Cup. Sridhar had previously conducted a 10-day fielding camp for Sri Lankan cricketers across multiple levels in May last year.
On the leadership front, Dasun Shanaka has replaced Charith Asalanka as Sri Lanka’s T20I captain until the conclusion of the World Cup. Additionally, former fast bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe has taken charge as the head of the men’s selection committee.
Rathour brings with him vast coaching experience at the highest level. He played six Tests and seven ODIs for India between 1996 and 1997 and enjoyed a prolific domestic career representing Punjab.
His five-year stint as India’s batting coach ended after India’s T20 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean in 2024. During that period, he worked under head coaches Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid and was part of India’s run to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Following his departure from the Indian setup, Rathour joined Rajasthan Royals as batting coach and assistant coach during the IPL, working closely with Dravid and Kumar Sangakkara. He has also had a brief coaching stint with the New Zealand Test team in late 2024.
Sri Lanka has already named a preliminary T20 World Cup squad with Shanaka as captain.
The co-hosts will begin their campaign against Ireland on February 8, followed by matches against Oman, Australia, and Zimbabwe, as they look to reclaim past glory on home soil.
