Sri Lanka have been truly gearing up for the home ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The 2014 champions have made several additions to their coaching unit, and in a recent move, they have included the former T20 World Cup-winning coach from India.
Sri Lanka will be hosting the ICC T20 World Cup after a long break, and as co-hosts of the tournament, they do not want to leave any stone unturned in their quest to win the tournament for the second time, having last won it a decade ago in 2014.
They already have legend Sanath Jayasuriya as their head coach and have called in former World Cup-winning captain and legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga as the fast bowling consultant for the preparatory phase of the World Cup till the 25th of January. Now they have made another inclusion to the tally.
Rahul Dravid’s right-hand man roped in ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 by Sri Lanka
India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 under Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian national side. The same troop also comprised his right-hand man, Vikram Rathour, who was India’s batting coach during that phase. The Indian batters excelled under his supervision and guidance.
The First-Class veteran from India was first appointed the Indian batting coach in 2021, and his tenure was then extended in 2023. Under him, India were runners-up of the 2023 World Cup and the winners of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
He also assumed the duties of Rajasthan Royals batting and assistant coach for IPL 2025 after Rahul Dravid returned as their head coach for the season. He has now been appointed and confirmed as the batting coach for Sri Lanka ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka are set to rope in former India batter Vikram Rathour as Batting Coach lead up to the T20 World Cup. Rathour was India’s batting coach until 2024 and currently is the assistant coach of IPL team Rajastan Royals. He will join the Sri Lankan side on the 15th January. pic.twitter.com/DO7TGdDQpe
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) January 7, 2026
Sri Lanka announced the return of Charith Asalanka ahead of the T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka named their squad for the preparatory series against Pakistan starting from today, and former captain Charith Asalanka has returned to the squad but will star as a specialist batter.
Earlier, when Dasun Shanaka was named the T20I captain for Sri Lanka ahead of the tri-series in Pakistan, Upul Tharanga had revealed that Asalanka would be relieved of captaincy duties to ease his pressure and let him focus on his batting form.
Asalanka last led them in the T20s against Zimbabwe, after which he has not resumed in the role, since he had to fly back to the country from Pakistan midway through the ODI series due to health issues.
Vikram Rathour to assume coaching duties with preparatory bilaterals
Vikram Rathour, whose announcement has just been named and made official by the Sri Lanka Cricket board, might not be available to take up the role for the three-match series against Pakistan scheduled between January 7th and 11th, but would be expected to join the team for the series against England.
Rathour, who has immense experience with the Men in Blue in ICC tournaments, will join the Lankans for the three-match ODI and three-match T20I series against England scheduled before the T20 World Cup. It would also be an interesting development to see whether Vikram Rathour continues till the 2027 World Cup following the end of the T20 World Cup.
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