Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officially announced the appointment of Vikram Rathour as their new batting coach for the men’s national team ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which is slated to get underway from February 7. The former Indian international, who represented his country in both Test and One-Day International formats, brings a wealth of top-tier experience to the role. He is scheduled to begin his tenure on January 18 and will remain with the squad through March 10.
Vikram Rathour become Sri Lanka's batting coach
Rathour’s appointment is structured on a consultancy basis, with the primary objective of sharpening the team’s skills ahead of the T20I World Cup 2026. This move follows his highly successful stint with the Indian national team, where he served as the all-format batting coach from September 2019 until July 2024, a period marked by significant growth in India's batting depth.
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The veteran coach possesses an impressive array of international credentials, including Level 3 certifications from both the BCCI and Cricket Australia, as well as a Level 1 qualification from the England & Wales Cricket Board. Outside of his new international commitments, Rathour continues to play a pivotal role in franchise cricket, currently serving as the Lead Assistant Coach for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.
The addition of Vikram Rathour follows a strategic trend for Sri Lanka Cricket, coming just a month after the board secured the services of R. Sridhar. Much like Rathour, Sridhar is a veteran of the Indian national team's coaching staff, and his role as fielding coach is also a temporary, consultancy-based appointment specifically tailored to optimize the squad's performance for the upcoming global tournament.
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Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup fixture
Notably, Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B, where they will face off against Ireland, Zimbabwe, Australia, and Oman. The team is set to launch their campaign on home soil in Colombo, beginning with a high-stakes opening match against Ireland on February 8.
Sri Lanka's preliminary squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew