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Key Takeaways
- 1đź“Š Rathour joins Sri Lanka from Jan 18 to Mar 10 as batting consultant
- 2🏆 Ex-India batting coach who oversaw a T20 World Cup-winning cycle
- 3đź’ˇ Sri Lanka stack Indian expertise with Rathour plus R Sridhar in support staff
- 4đź”® His methods could be crucial in a tough World Cup group featuring Australia
"Vikram Rathour will join the squad on January 18, four days before the start of Sri Lanka's white-ball series at home against England"
In a fascinating Indo-Lankan crossover, Vikram Rathour has been drafted in as Sri Lanka's consultant batting coach, with a laser focus on the T20 World Cup 2026 preparations jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Ex-India batting boss in charge of Sri Lanka’s revival
The former Team India opener and ex-national batting coach will link up with the Lankan squad on January 18, just days before their home white-ball series against England, and stay on till March 10, two days after the World Cup final.
For Indian fans, Rathour’s work is familiar: he oversaw India’s batting group from 2019 to 2024, a period that included a T20 World Cup title and multiple strong ICC campaigns. In the IPL, he remains a key part of Rajasthan Royals' backroom staff, working closely with modern greats and young Indian talent.
Sri Lanka’s think-tank has clearly gone all-in on Indian coaching expertise. R Sridhar is already on board as fielding coach on a similar temporary deal, while Lasith Malinga continues to chip in as bowling consultant. Add Rathour’s structured batting philosophy to that mix, and you get a coaching group built for a high-pressure home World Cup.
Placed in a tricky group alongside Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman, Sri Lanka will bank on Rathour to stabilise a flaky top order and give their power-hitters clear roles. For Indian fans, it will be a unique sight: the man who fine-tuned our middle order now plotting against us on the biggest T20 stage.
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