Sri Lanka have taken a major step in their preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup by appointing former India batting coach Vikram Rathour to their support staff. Rathour has been named Sri Lanka’s new batting coach and will begin his role later this month, just weeks before the global tournament.

The 2026 T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the tournament scheduled to start on February 7.

Vikram Rathour Appointed Sri Lanka’s Batting Coach

Vikram Rathour served as India’s batting coach until the 2024 T20 World Cup, a period during which India lifted the T20 world title. His contribution to India’s batting success earned widespread praise, making his appointment a significant boost for Sri Lanka.

Apart from his international coaching experience, Rathour is currently the assistant coach of IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals. Now, he is set to bring that expertise to Sri Lanka as they aim to challenge for the 2026 T20 World Cup crown.

When Will Rathour Take Charge?

According to reports, Rathour will officially join the Sri Lankan team on January 15. As a result, he will not be part of Sri Lanka’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan, which is scheduled to be played from January 7 to January 11.

Focus on World Cup Preparations

The T20I series against Pakistan is already a key part of Sri Lanka’s World Cup preparations. Following the series, Sri Lanka Cricket is expected to organise a focused training camp to address the team’s weaknesses ahead of the mega event.

Vikram Rathour is likely to play an important role in that phase, helping Sri Lankan batters improve consistency and adaptability in T20 cricket. The 2026 T20 World Cup will effectively be Rathour’s first major assignment as Sri Lanka’s batting coach, and expectations will be high as the island nation looks to make a strong impact on home conditions.