The Sri Lanka Cricket Team has announced Gary Kirsten as the new head coach

Sri Lanka have appointed former South Africa player Gary Kirsten as their new coach.

Kirsten will take charge on April 15 after signing a two-year contract under which he will coach his country’s national team in next year’s Over-50 World Cup finals, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The 58-year-old had coached India to victory in the World Cup in 2011, while also helping South Africa become the top-ranked team in all formats of the game in 2013.

His last coaching job was with the Pakistan national team, but he resigned from the position in October 2024 – just six months into a two-year contract.

“Kirsten’s primary responsibility will be to guide the team in its preparations and campaign for the 2027 World Cup,” Sri Lanka Cricket said.

Kirsten played 101 Tests and 185 One Day Internationals for South Africa between 1993 and 2004, scoring 14,087 runs and making 21 Test and 13 ODI centuries.

Sanath Jayasuriya has announced that he will step down as Sri Lanka coach following the team’s exit from the T20 World Cup, with Kirsten serving as an advisor to Namibia.

Sri Lanka, who will face Afghanistan in three T20Is this month, are also scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs in England in September.