Gary Kirsten appointed head coach of Sri Lankan men's team

Former South African opener Gary Kirsten has been appointed the new head coach of the Sri Lankan men's cricket team. Kirsten will take charge from April 15, 2026, as confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Kirsten has been appointed on a two-year contract and will fill the role vacated by Sanath Jayasuriya, who stepped down after Sri Lanka's Super Eight exit at the recently-concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Kirsten was a consultant for the Namibian team at the same event.

Kirsten, a veteran of 101 Tests and 185 ODIs, is renowned for guiding India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title and the number one spot in the ICC Test Rankings as head coach. He then coached the South African men's team for two years and was also appointed Pakistan's white-ball coach in April 2024, an association that ended prematurely as he resigned over differences with the board and the players.

He has also been involved with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans in the IPL, having served as the batting coach when the Titans won the title in their debut season in 2022.

The marquee assignment during Kirsten's two-year contract with Sri Lanka is the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia next year, for which the team will aim to secure a direct entry. His appointment follows SLC naming Jamie Siddons as head coach of the national women's team a few days ago.