While the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is just less than two months away from beginning, co-hosts Sri Lanka added a former Indian coach to the team in the hope of developing the team stronger for the upcoming T20 World Cup. 

R. Sridhar joins Sri Lanka national cricket team

Former Hyderabad cricketer and the former popular fielding coach of the Indian men's national cricket team, Ramakrishnan Sridhar, popularly known as R. Sridhar, has joined the Sri Lankan men's national cricket team.

R. Sridhar is a BCCI Level 3 qualified coach who was the Indian fielding coach from 2014 to 2021. Under his tenure, where India played more than 300 international matches, including several important ICC tournaments, the fielding standards for the Men in Blues were remarkable.

Sridhar joining the Sri Lankan team isn't shocking, as the former Indian fielding coach worked in a 10-day fielding programme at the SLC National High Performance Centre early this calendar year, where the players from senior, women’s, and youth teams were actively present. 

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My role is not to impose a system: R Sridhar

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed R. Sridhar's addition to the team as the contract will run till the end of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will jointly host the tournament from February 7 to March 8, 2026. 

Sridhar said in an official SLC statement, "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."

Sridhar further added, "Fielding thrives when players feel connected to the ball, to each other, and to the moment. Sri Lanka's traditional strengths - quick hands, sharp reflexes, and fearless intent, can be further enhanced by creating realistic, game-like learning environments."

Sri Lanka are in Group B of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where they will face Australia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman. 

As India gear up for the AUS vs IND 1st Test in Perth on November 22, all eyes are on Virat Kohli. The batting maestro, known for his unparalleled commitment to preparation, is set to be a key player in the highly anticipated series. Former India fielding coach R Sridhar shed light on Kohli’s rigorous training regimen and his approach to overcoming challenges in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries.

Kohli’s unique training routine

Virat Kohli’s preparations for major overseas series have always been intense and calculated. Speaking to Times of India, Sridhar revealed that Kohli’s training involves batting on the toughest pitches and facing up to 200–250 deliveries in every session. These drills include match simulations and high-pressure practice scenarios.

According to Sridhar, Kohli prefers to arrive early for such series, giving himself 10–12 days to adapt to the conditions. During this period, he focuses on honing his technique and staying mentally prepared. Sridhar estimated that before the first Test in Perth, Kohli might have already faced over 1,000–1,500 deliveries in practice sessions, showcasing his dedication to perfection.

“Kohli thrives on challenging himself. He demands the most difficult pitches and pushes bowlers to test him under match-like scenarios. This rigorous preparation defines his success in challenging conditions,” Sridhar said.

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Pressure to overcome a slump in form

While Kohli’s fitness remains at its peak, 2024 has been a challenging year for him in Test cricket. His performances in recent series against Bangladesh and New Zealand were below par, with only 93 runs across three Tests against the Kiwis. These struggles have raised concerns ahead of the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Despite his dip in form, Kohli’s track record in Australia is exceptional. With eight centuries and five fifties to his name in Tests Down Under, Kohli remains a formidable opponent. Moreover, he has been dismissed for a duck only three times against the Aussies in his Test career. As Kohli prepares to take on Australia in Perth, fans and critics alike are hopeful that he will rediscover his rhythm and lead India to a strong start.