R Sridhar joins Sri Lanka Cricket to help improve fielding standards

Former Team India fielding coach R Sridhar has been roped in by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to conduct a 10-day fielding programme. Sridhar will work closely with the men’s and women’s national teams, as well as emerging squads, premier club players, the national Under-19 team, and the women’s A team.

Sri Lanka Cricket has been bringing in overseas experts for short-term training stints. In 2024, Zubin Bharucha, the High Performance Director of Rajasthan Royals, was invited to lead a focused batting improvement programme. Wasim Akram and Jonty Rhodes also conducted specialized training programmes.

Sri Lanka Appoints Former India Coach R Sridhar To Enhance Cricketer Standards

Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that R Sridhar will oversee an intensive 10-day fielding camp starting on May 7. The initiative is part of SLC’s broader effort to raise performance levels through targeted training with experienced international coaches.

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"Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that former India National Team Fielding Coach R. Sridhar will conduct a comprehensive 10-day fielding program to elevate the fielding standards of Sri Lankan Cricketers," SLC announced in a media release on its website.

"The specialized program will commence on May 7 and will involve men’s and women’s national squads, Emerging squads, Premier Club players, and the National U19 team, and Women’s ‘A’ team as well."

R Sridhar To Kick Off Fielding Programme With Sri Lanka Men's National Team

Sridhar is set to begin his fielding programme with the Sri Lanka men’s national team before working with other teams. The training will include a range of activities such as fielding drills, skill-focused exercises, and match-simulation sessions to sharpen on-field performance.

However, the women’s national team may only participate partially in the camp due to their ongoing tri-series with India and South Africa, which concludes on May 11.

The Sri Lanka women's team, under the leadership of Chamari Athapaththu, recently triumphed over India in the fourth match of the Tri-Series in Colombo. They secured a thrilling 3-wicket victory over Harmanpreet Kaur’s India side on Sunday.

R Sridhar Was India’s Fielding Coach Between 2014 and 2021

R Sridhar served as India’s fielding coach in over 300 international matches from 2014 to 2021. He also coached India’s U19 side and had a stint with Punjab Kings in the IPL. Sridhar briefly worked as assistant coach with Afghanistan in 2024.

"Sridhar, a BCCI Level 3 qualified coach, brings a wealth of experience, having served as India's fielding coach across more than 300 international matches from 2014 to 2021," the SLC release said.

It added that Sridhar will "begin the program with the Sri Lanka national men's team and subsequently train other squads, where he will conduct fielding drills, skill-specific training, and simulated match scenarios, to replicate game conditions."

Sridhar will closely collaborate with the National, High Performance, and Club coaches under the direction of Sri Lanka Cricket.

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