Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has made a significant strategic move by appointing former Indian cricketer and coach Vikram Rathour as the batting coach for their men's national team. This appointment comes with a clear focus on preparing the side for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2026, which Sri Lanka will co-host with India.
A High-Profile Appointment on Consultancy Basis
The cricket board confirmed that Vikram Rathour has been appointed on a consultancy basis. His primary mandate is to sharpen the batting unit's skills ahead of the global tournament. Rathour is scheduled to begin his tenure on January 18, 2026, and will remain with the Sri Lankan squad until March 10, 2026.
Rathour brings a wealth of experience from his previous role as the Batting Coach of the Indian Men's Team across all formats from September 2019 to July 2024. His tenure with the Indian team was notably successful, culminating in an ICC T20 World Cup victory. His departure from the Indian setup in mid-2024 paved the way for this new international assignment.
Rathour's Impressive Coaching Pedigree
The newly appointed coach is not just a former India international who played Tests and ODIs, but also boasts an impressive array of coaching certifications. He holds a BCCI Level 3 certification, the highest coaching grade in India, along with a Cricket Australia Level 3 and an England & Wales Cricket Board Level 1 qualification.
Currently, Rathour is associated with the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he serves as the Lead Assistant Coach. This ongoing involvement in high-pressure T20 cricket is expected to be invaluable for Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup preparations.
Sri Lanka's Road in the T20 World Cup 2026
As co-hosts, Sri Lanka finds itself in Group B of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Their group includes the formidable 2021 champions Australia, along with Ireland, Oman, and Zimbabwe. The Lankan team will kick off their campaign on February 8, 2026, against Ireland in Colombo.
The appointment of a coach of Rathour's calibre, especially one familiar with the subcontinental conditions and recent Indian success formulas, is seen as a major boost for Sri Lanka. It highlights SLC's intent to build a competitive team capable of challenging for the title on home soil. His expertise will be crucial in tackling the strong bowling attacks they will face, particularly from group rivals Australia.
