Vikram Rathour joins Sri Lanka as batting consultant ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed former India batter and batting coach Vikram Rathour as their batting coach "on a consultancy basis" with a primary focus on the team’s preparation for the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2026."

Rathour previously served as Team India's batting coach from September 2019 to 2024 and is currently working with Rajasthan Royals (RR) as the Lead Assistant Coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

During his stint as batting coach with the Men in Blue, Rathour worked in tandem with Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. He was a part of the coaching staff that contributed to India's successful T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in the USA and the Caribbean.

Rathour, 56, made his ODI debut for India against Pakistan in Sharjah on April 15, 1996, and played a total of seven 50-over games in his career. He made his Test debut against England in Birmingham on June 6, 1996. He scored 131 runs in six Tests during the course of his playing career.

Sri Lanka's quest to win T20 World Cup 2026

Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B alongside Oman, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Australia. They'll play all their group stage fixtures at the R Premadasa in Colombo and at the Pallekele International Stadium in Pallekele. The Lankan Lions will open their campaign against Ireland in Colombo on February 8.

Sri Lanka previously won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2014 in Bangladesh by beating India at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur by six wickets. They are likely to be led by Dasun Shanaka, who had won them the Asia Cup in 2022.

Sri Lanka's preliminary squad for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew