Vikram Rathour appointed Sri Lanka batting coach for T20 World Cup 2026. Joins team Jan 18 to Mar 10 alongside Lasith Malinga.

Colombo: The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has appointed Vikram Rathour as its batting coach as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.

Rathour previously worked as India’s batting coach from 2019 to 2024. During his tenure, the team excelled in ICC tournaments, notably winning the T20 World Cup in 2024. Rathour left the Indian setup and joined the Rajasthan Royals as batting and assistant coach.

He has been engaged as a consultant, with a major focus on the team’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup in 2026. Rathour, a former Indian player who has played Tests and One-Day Internationals for his country, will join the team on January 18 and will remain with them until March 10, according to Sri Lanka Cricket.

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Sri Lanka is currently playing Pakistan in a three-match series in preparation for the T20 World Cup. They will want to make the most of his experience as they prepare to co-host the upcoming worldwide event.

In preparation for the flagship competition, Sri Lanka has also recruited veteran pacer Lasith Malinga as a fast-bowling consultant for a 40-day period beginning December 15 and ending January 25.

Malinga has worked as a fast-bowling consultant on two official occasions, but he has also given informal advice to elite bowlers over the years. For the previous two years, he has provided advise to the coaching staff led by Sanath Jayasuriya.

Sri Lanka has been placed in Group B alongside Australia, Oman, Ireland, and Zimbabwe. The 2014 champions will face Ireland in their first match on February 8 at the R Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo.