With the appointment of former India batting coach Vikram Rathour as the national team’s new batting coach, Sri Lanka Cricket has made a crucial step towards bolstering their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026. After winning the T20 World Cup trophy in 2014, Sri Lanka, who will co-host the major event, hopes to win it again.
Vikram Rathour, who was India’s batting coach under Rahul Dravid, has a wealth of international expertise. He was one of the support personnel who helped India win the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team is already starting to prepare for the event, and Vikram Rathour is anticipated to join the Sri Lankan setup on January 15.
An 18-man team has been selected for Sri Lanka’s three-match Twenty20 International series against Pakistan, which begins on January 7. Dasun Shanaka will assume the captaincy responsibilities, and Charith Asalanka has rejoined the T20 team. The team from the three-match series against Pakistan will be captained by Shanaka. To reduce pressure and give Asalanka more time to concentrate on his batting, he has been freed of his leadership responsibilities.
A crucial component of Sri Lanka’s preparation is the Pakistan series, which offers useful match practice prior to the T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka, the co-hosts, will play their first match against Ireland on February 8 and then Oman, Australia, and Zimbabwe.
Vikram Rathour contract was extended till 2024 after he was named India’s batting coach in 2019.
India advanced to the 2023 ODI World Cup final under his leadership. He was the batting coach and assistant coach for the Rajasthan Royals in the 2025 Indian Premier League after leaving the national team in 2024.
Legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga has returned to Sri Lanka Cricket’s support staff in addition to Vikram Rathour appointment. Malinga has been hired as a fast bowling consultant on a temporary basis. The board confirmed on December 30 that he will hold the position for 40 days, starting on December 15.
Home