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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially appointed former Indian cricketer R. Sridhar as their new fielding coach on December 17. The deal will see R Sridhar remain in the role through the conclusion of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in March next year.
R Sridhar named Sri Lanka's new fielding coach
Sridhar brings a wealth of high-level experience to the Sri Lankan camp, having served as the fielding coach for the Indian national team for seven years, from 2014 to 2021. His tenure with India ended when T. Dilip took over the position following Rahul Dravid's appointment as head coach. This move is seen as a strategic effort by SLC to infuse the squad with the same Indian pedigree that helped modernise India's fielding standards over the last decade.
The 55-year-old veteran is tasked with immediate improvements to the team’s defensive play as they prepare for a busy international schedule. His first major challenges will involve guiding the players through upcoming series against Pakistan and England, where his focus will be on enhancing the athleticism and technical proficiency of the Sri Lankan fielders.
My role is not to impose a system, but to nurture an environment: Sridhar
Sridhar, a highly credentialed BCCI Level 3 qualified coach, expressed immense enthusiasm about his new role with the Sri Lankan national team.
“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,” Sridhar said in a statement released by SLC.
This appointment follows a successful trial period earlier this year, during which Sridhar conducted a specialized 10-day fielding intensive at Sri Lanka’s National High Performance Center. His familiarization with the current roster through that program is expected to streamline his transition into the full-time coaching staff.
The former Hyderabad cricketer arrives with an extensive coaching pedigree spanning various levels of the sport. Beyond his prominent seven-year stint with the Indian national team, Sridhar’s resume includes a fielding coach role with the Punjab Kings during the 2014 IPL season and a recent appointment as the assistant coach for Afghanistan in mid-2024. His diverse background also includes coaching stints with the California Knights in the US Masters T10 and the Andhra domestic team in India.
His new appointment officially began on December 11 and is set to run through the conclusion of the 2026 T20 World Cup. This timeline ensures that the 55-year-old veteran will be at the helm for Sri Lanka’s critical upcoming T20 series against both England and Pakistan.
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