Daijiworld Media Network - Colombo
Colombo, Dec 17: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday announced the appointment of R. Sridhar as the fielding coach of the national men’s team, with his tenure set to run until the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The appointment took effect from December 11 and will remain in force until March 10, 2026, a few days after the end of the T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
A BCCI Level 3 certified coach, Sridhar brings a wealth of international experience to the role. He previously served as India’s fielding coach from 2014 to 2021, working across more than 300 international matches, including two editions each of the ODI and T20I World Cups.
In his new assignment, Sridhar will collaborate closely with Sri Lanka’s players to enhance overall fielding standards. He will be involved with the team during upcoming international tours to Pakistan and England, as well as in the build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Reacting to his appointment, Sridhar praised Sri Lanka’s cricketing legacy, saying the players have long been known for their instinctive flair, resilience and team spirit. “My aim is not to impose a rigid system, but to create an environment where athleticism, awareness and pride in fielding can develop organically,” he said.
Sridhar’s return to Sri Lanka Cricket comes after his involvement earlier this year, when he conducted a 10-day specialised fielding camp at the National High Performance Centre in May. The programme began with the national men’s team and later extended to other squads, focusing on skill-based drills, simulated match situations and game-specific fielding scenarios.
During that stint, he worked closely with national, high-performance and club-level coaches, helping integrate modern fielding methods with Sri Lanka’s traditional strengths.
“Fielding improves when players feel connected — to the ball, to each other and to the moment. Sri Lanka’s natural assets such as quick hands, sharp reflexes and fearless intent can be elevated further through realistic, match-like learning environments,” Sridhar added.
In addition to his work with India and Sri Lanka, Sridhar was also appointed assistant coach of the Afghanistan men’s team last year for their one-off Test against New Zealand in Noida and a three-match ODI series against South Africa in September.