Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour has been appointed as the batting coach of the Sri Lanka men’s team ahead of the home white-ball series and the T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed the short-term appointment on January 8.
Rathour will link up with the squad ahead of Sri Lanka’s home white-ball series against England. He will remain with the Sri Lankan team from that point until March 10. The final of the T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is scheduled for March 8.
This is the second high-profile signing made by SLC within a month, the first being R Sridhar, another former member of the India team’s support staff, who has been roped in as fielding coach.
Fast-bowling legend Lasith Malinga has been retained as a consultant bowling coach, although that arrangement will end before the start of the T20 World Cup.
This marks a complete overhaul of the coaching staff, which will continue to be led by Sanath Jayasuriya. Dasun Shanaka will captain Sri Lanka after Charith Asalanka was removed from the role due to his poor returns with the bat.
Rathour was with the Indian team for five years. After his contract expired, the Rajasthan Royals secured his services in 2024 following the T20 World Cup. In addition to his work with India, Rathour also had a brief stint with the New Zealand Test team under a short-term arrangement in late 2024.
Sri Lanka will compete in Group B of the World Cup, sharing the pool with Ireland, Zimbabwe, Australia and Oman. The 2014-winners will begin their campaign with a match against Ireland in Colombo on February 8.
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