Sports Desk : dhakamirror.com
Sanath Jayasuriya has officially been named the head coach of the Sri Lanka national cricket team, stepping up from his interim role that he held since June. His appointment comes in the wake of Chris Silverwood’s resignation following Sri Lanka’s disappointing performance in the recent T20 World Cup.
At 55 years old, Jayasuriya has demonstrated his credentials by leading the team to notable successes, including a Test victory in England and a dominant 2-0 home series win against New Zealand. On Monday, in recognition of these achievements, Sri Lanka Cricket’s Executive Committee announced his full-time appointment, which will extend until March 2026.
“The decision was made with careful consideration of the team’s commendable performances during recent tours against India, England, and New Zealand,” stated the Sri Lanka cricket board.
Under Jayasuriya’s guidance, the Lankan team also captured a one-day international series against India—an achievement not seen in 27 years. As a former captain, Jayasuriya is celebrated as one of the all-time greats in One-Day Internationals, playing a key role in Sri Lanka’s glorious 1996 World Cup triumph.
Having donned the national jersey 586 times across all formats, Jayasuriya amassed 42 centuries and took 440 wickets before retiring from international cricket in 2011. However, his journey has not been without controversy; he faced a ban from the International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit for two years in 2018 due to alleged obstruction of an investigation into corruption within the sport.
Additionally, Jayasuriya has had a career in politics, serving as a former deputy minister in the postal service. His multifaceted background adds another layer to his leadership role as he sets his sights on steering Sri Lanka cricket towards a bright future.
