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Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya is elated by the inputs of his coaching staff featuring two former India coaches – fielding coach R Sridhar and batting coach Vikram Rathour. On February 16, Sri Lanka registered a hat-trick of wins as they beat Australia by eight wickets in a comprehensive manner at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The former Sri Lankan opener feels the duo’s IPL experience came in handy. Rathour gave the Sri Lankan batters a lot of confidence going into the T20 World Cup 2026.
"R Sridhar is our fielding coach, he’s from India, and also Vikram (Rathour) is our batting coach. Both are really good gentlemen. They do whatever we want to do at practice, which is really good for fielding. With his IPL experience, he’s working with the players really well and gelling well. We have given a lot of confidence to the batters. Sometimes, as coaches, we may get desperate with the batting unit, but still we gave confidence to the players. Vikram and Sridhar were really good," Jayasuriya said.
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Despite a blazing start, Australia were bowled out for 181. Sri Lanka were missing the services of Matheesha Pathirana who got injured in his first over. Later, Pathum Nissanka scored an unbeaten 52-ball century to take Sri Lanka over the line.
Jayasuriya lauds bowlers for comeback vs Australia
Jayasuriya revealed the message to the bowling group to counter the Australian batters who play an aggressive brand of cricket. The former all-rounder credited them for varying their pace.
"I think we wanted to send the message to vary the pace and slow it down as much as possible, and the wicket was gripping a little bit, which we wanted to maximise. So I think Maheesh Theekshana they all bowled well. We had a terrible thing with Matheesha Pathirana. But I think we came back really well after the first few overs. Maheesh came back and bowled three overs. So that was the key. The bowlers did a great job," the 56-year-old said.
Pathirana’s injury a concern
While Sri Lanka stormed into Super 8s with a game to spare at group stages, they have a few concerns. After Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out due to injury, the Sri Lankan staff will sweat over Pathirana’s fitness as well. Sri Lanka's next clash is against Zimbabwe at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. They may not risk Pathirana in an inconsequential game for them.
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