Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have appointed R Sridhar as the national men’s team fielding coach, with his tenure set to run until the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in March next year.
A BCCI Level 3 qualified coach, Sridhar brings with him vast international experience, having served as India’s fielding coach from 2014 to 2021, a period during which India established itself as one of the best fielding units in world cricket. More recently, he worked as a consultant coach with the Afghanistan national team, further strengthening his exposure across different cricketing cultures.
Sridhar’s immediate focus will be on raising Sri Lanka’s fielding standards ahead of crucial assignments, including upcoming tours of Pakistan and England, before guiding the side’s preparations for the T20 World Cup.
Speaking after his appointment, Sridhar highlighted his philosophy of working with players rather than imposing rigid systems.
“Sri Lankan players have always stood for instinctive brilliance, resilience, and collective spirit,” Sridhar said in an official SLC release. “My role is not to impose a system, but to nurture an environment where athleticism, awareness, and pride in the field can grow naturally.”
The 54-year-old is no stranger to Sri Lanka’s setup. Earlier this year, he conducted a 10-day specialised fielding programme at the National High Performance Centre, giving him firsthand exposure to the country’s emerging talent and existing structures.
“Fielding thrives when players feel connected to the ball, to each other, and to the moment,” Sridhar added. He believes Sri Lanka’s traditional strengths — quick hands, sharp reflexes, and fearless intent — can be further sharpened through realistic, game-based training environments.
Sri Lanka Cricket will be hoping Sridhar’s appointment brings immediate impact, particularly in limited-overs cricket, where fielding standards often play a decisive role at global tournaments.