Sanath Jayasuriya Appointed as Sri Lanka Men’s Cricket Team Head Coach: Key Milestones and Upcoming Challenges

SLC has appointed Sanath Jayasuriya as the head coach of the Sri Lanka men’s cricket team following the team’s commendable performances against India, England, and New Zealand.

Effective from October 1, 2024, Jayasuriya’s tenure will extend until March 31, 2026.

According to a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket, “The Executive Committee made this decision based on the team’s strong performances during recent tours against India, England, and New Zealand, where Jayasuriya served as the interim head coach.”

His initial task as head coach will involve the forthcoming limited-overs series against the West Indies, scheduled to take place in Dambulla and Pallekele.

Jayasuriya, a former aggressive batsman, had previously held the position of cricket consultant for the SLC and was appointed as the interim head coach of the men’s national team in July. He took over the role following the exit of English coach Chris Silverwood, which followed a tumultuous period marked by the T20 World Cup setback.

Under his leadership in recent months, Sri Lanka achieved significant milestones, including their first bilateral ODI series victory against India in 27 years, a Test win against England away for the first time in a decade, and a 2-0 home Test series triumph over New Zealand.

During his playing career from 1991 to 2007, Jayasuriya participated in 110 Test matches, scoring 6,973 runs at an average of 40.07, including 14 centuries and 31 fifties. In One Day Internationals, he accumulated 13,430 runs at an average of 32.36, with 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries. He was instrumental in securing Sri Lanka’s victory in the 1996 ODI World Cup.