Colombo, December 17, 2025 – Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially announced the appointment of R. Sridhar, the former Indian fielding coach, as their national team's fielding coach. Sridhar's contract extends until the completion of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in March 2026, which Sri Lanka will co-host with India. The appointment is effective from December 11, 2025, to March 10, 2026.

Sridhar brings a wealth of experience to the Sri Lankan squad, having served as India's fielding coach from 2014 to 2021, participating in over 300 international matches, including two ODI and two T20I World Cups. A BCCI Level 3 qualified coach, Sridhar's expertise is expected to significantly enhance Sri Lanka's fielding standards.

In his new role, Sridhar will collaborate closely with the Sri Lankan team to elevate their fielding skills. He will be working with the players during the upcoming tours against Pakistan and England, followed by intensive preparations for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka is scheduled to play six T20Is in January as part of their World Cup preparations. They will play a three-match T20I series against Pakistan from January 8 to 12, followed by another three-match T20I series against England from January 30 to February 3.

Sridhar expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "Sri Lankan players have always stood for instinctive brilliance, resilience, and collective spirit. My role is not to impose a system but to nurture an environment where athleticism, awareness, and pride in the field can grow naturally". He also highlighted the importance of creating realistic, game-like learning environments to enhance Sri Lanka's traditional strengths, such as quick hands, sharp reflexes, and fearless intent.

This appointment marks Sridhar's return to the Sri Lankan cricket scene, as he previously conducted a 10-day specialized fielding camp at Sri Lanka Cricket's National High Performance Centre in May. During the camp, he worked with the national men's team and other squads, focusing on fielding drills, skill-specific training, and simulated match scenarios. He also collaborated with national, high-performance, and club coaches during his previous stint.

Sridhar's coaching career began in 2001 after retiring from first-class cricket, where he represented Hyderabad from 1989 to 2001. He became a certified coach in 2007 and coached Hyderabad's Under-19 and Under-16 teams from 2007 to 2011. In 2011, he joined the National Cricket Academy and became the fielding coach for India's Under-19 team. Before joining Afghanistan as an assistant coach in August 2024, he served as India's fielding coach for seven years.

SLC's decision to bring in Sridhar underscores their commitment to improving all facets of their game ahead of the T20 World Cup. In October, SLC appointed Julian Wood as batting coach and Rene Ferdinands as spin-bowling coach for the men's national team, replacing Thilina Kandamby and Piyal Wijetunge, respectively. These changes reflect Sri Lanka's focus on building a strong and competitive team for the upcoming global tournament.