Sri Lanka Cricket have made a decisive move ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 by appointing former India batting coach Vikram Rathour as the national team’s new batting coach. With Sri Lanka set to co-host the marquee tournament, the appointment signals the board’s intent to leave no stone unturned in their quest to reclaim the T20 World Cup title, which they last lifted in 2014.
Rathour brings with him a wealth of international experience, having served as India’s batting coach from 2019 to 2024 under head coach Rahul Dravid. During that period, he played a key role in shaping India’s batting depth across formats and was part of the support staff that guided India to T20 World Cup glory in 2024.
Virkam Rathour is scheduled to officially join the Sri Lankan setup on January 15, with preparations for the global event already underway. Sri Lanka has also announced an 18-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, which begins on January 7.
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Dasun Shanaka will return to captain the side, while Charith Asalanka has been included purely as a batter. The decision to relieve Asalanka of leadership duties is intended to allow him to focus on his batting, which remains central to Sri Lanka’s middle-order plans.
#Pakistan sweat over pacer #ShaheenAfridi‘s fitness ahead of T20 World Cup 2026https://t.co/HsqdkS820K
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The Pakistan series is seen as a crucial preparatory assignment, offering Sri Lanka competitive match exposure ahead of the T20 World Cup. As co-hosts, they will open their campaign against Ireland on February 8, followed by group matches against Oman, Australia, and Zimbabwe.
Rathour’s coaching journey post his India stint has also kept him closely connected to the modern T20 game. After stepping down from the Indian team setup in 2024, he worked as batting coach and assistant coach for Rajasthan Royals during the IPL 2025 season, further sharpening his understanding of franchise cricket dynamics.
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Adding further experience to their backroom staff, Sri Lanka Cricket have also brought back legendary fast bowler Lasith Malinga as a fast bowling consultant. Malinga’s short-term appointment spans 40 days, effective from December 15, and is expected to bolster Sri Lanka’s bowling unit as they fine-tune their plans for the T20 World Cup 2026.
