Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of a new head coach of the Sri Lanka men’s national team, marking a significant reset following the team’s disappointing campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The decision, confirmed on March 9, 2026, signals the board’s intent to rebuild the national side and bring long-term stability to Sri Lankan cricket. The new coach has signed a two-year contract starting April 15, 2026, and running until April 14, 2028.
Sri Lanka appoints a new coach of men’s team following team’s early exit at T20 World Cup 2026
Notably, the Lankans have announced the appointment of former South Africa international Gary Kirsten as the new coach of the men’s team. The appointment comes at a crucial moment for Sri Lankan cricket after a frustrating outing at the T20 World Cup 2026, where the team failed to make a deep run despite playing the tournament on home soil. Their campaign ended in the Super Eight stage, following disappointing defeats to England and New Zealand.
SLC’s decision to bring in Kirsten represents a strategic shift. After previously leaning toward coaches with strong local knowledge following the 2024 T20 World Cup, the board has now turned to a globally experienced figure to guide the team’s rebuilding phase. Kirsten will officially take charge in mid-April, with expectations high that his leadership will help restore Sri Lanka’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Transition after Sanath Jayasuriya’s tenure and focus on future tournaments
Kirsten’s appointment follows the resignation of Sanath Jayasuriya, who stepped down from the head coach role after the World Cup. Despite Sri Lanka’s recent struggles, Jayasuriya’s tenure was not without achievements.
Under his leadership in 2024, Sri Lanka secured a historic ODI series victory against India at home — their first in 27 years. However, inconsistent performances in major tournaments ultimately led to the decision to make a change in leadership. Jayasuriya will remain involved in Sri Lankan cricket, taking charge of the High Performance Centre, where he will focus on developing emerging talent for the national setup.
A decorated coaching career with proven success
Kirsten arrives with an outstanding coaching résumé that few in world cricket can match. The Proteas legend famously guided India to the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup title, working closely with a team led by MS Dhoni and featuring legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
His success was not limited to India. Kirsten later coached South Africa, helping the Proteas reach the No.1 position in the ICC Test rankings during his tenure. Known for his calm leadership style and strong player-management skills, he has built a reputation for developing winning team cultures.
Most recently, Kirsten served as a consultant for Namibia during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, further strengthening his credentials in modern white-ball cricket.
