Sri Lanka Appoint Gary Kirsten as New Head Coach of Men’s Team

Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed the appointment of Gary Kirsten as the new head coach of the national men’s team, ushering in a fresh chapter for the side following Sanath Jayasuriya’s resignation after the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The former South African international has agreed to a two-year contract and will officially begin his role on April 15, as Sri Lanka look to rebuild and strengthen their squad for upcoming global tournaments.

A Proven Coach Returns to the International Stage

Kirsten, 58, brings vast coaching experience with successful stints at India and South Africa, including leading India to their historic 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory.

After his time with India, Kirsten took charge of South Africa from 2011 to 2013. During that period, the Proteas reached the number one ranking across all three international formats in 2013, underlining the effectiveness of his leadership.

Recent Coaching Experience

More recently, Kirsten worked as a consultant for Namibia during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, offering strategic guidance and mentorship to the emerging side during the tournament.

His appointment with Sri Lanka also marks a return to international coaching following a short stint with Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board had appointed him in April 2024 on a two-year contract.

He resigned in October 2024 after Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA, following defeats to India and the United States.

A Distinguished Playing Career

Before transitioning into coaching, Kirsten enjoyed an outstanding career as a professional cricketer for South Africa between 1993 and 2004.

Over the course of his international career, he accumulated more than 14,000 runs across formats. His impressive record includes 21 centuries in Test cricket and 13 centuries in One Day Internationals, highlighting his consistency at the highest level of the sport.

Focus on the 2027 World Cup

Kirsten’s primary responsibility with Sri Lanka will be guiding the team through the next major cycle of international competitions.

A key target will be preparing the side for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka Cricket will hope that his vast experience and tactical insight can help the team regain consistency and competitiveness on the global stage.