Sri Lanka appoint Vikram Rathour as batting coach on consultancy basis

Sri Lanka have roped in Vikram Rathour as batting coach on a consultancy basis ahead of the Men's T20 World Cup, scheduled for February-March this year in India and Sri Lanka. An SLC release stated that the appointment comes with a primary focus on the team's preparation for the showpiece event. Rathour's tenure with Sri Lanka will go on from January 18 to March 10.

Rathour, a former India cricketer, previously held the post of batting coach for the Indian men's team from September 2019 to July 2024. He is also currently the lead assistant coach at Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

This appointment comes a month after Sri Lanka secured the services of R Sridhar - another ex-member of the Indian coaching set up. Sridhar's involvement as the fielding coach is similarly temporary and World Cup focussed.

Sri Lanka are placed in Group B in the World Cup alongside Ireland, Zimbabwe, Australia and Oman. They will kick-start their campaign in Colombo against Ireland on February 8.