3 strong contenders to become Sri Lanka’s next head coach

Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya has decided to step down as head coach of the men’s national team following the disappointing T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Sri Lanka’s narrow defeat to Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium marked their final appearance in the tournament, as they failed to register a win in the Super Eight stage. With the focus now shifting toward rebuilding the squad ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027, Sri Lanka Cricket will be keen to appoint an experienced and proven name to guide the transition.

Here are three strong contenders to become Sri Lanka’s next head coach

Trevor Bayliss

Trevor Bayliss is no stranger to Sri Lankan cricket. He previously served as the national team’s head coach from 2007 to 2011, succeeding Tom Moody. During his tenure, Sri Lanka remained competitive on the global stage. Although they were eliminated in the Super Eight stage of the 2007 T20 World Cup, Bayliss guided the team to the final of the 2011 ODI World Cup, where they finished as runners-up.

His prior experience with Sri Lankan players and understanding of the cricketing culture in the country make him a compelling candidate. With a proven track record in international coaching, Bayliss could provide stability and direction as the team prepares for its next major challenge.

Allan Donald

Former South African fast-bowling great Allan Donald is another strong option. Donald has previously worked with Sri Lanka as a bowling consultant during the 2017 Champions Trophy. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a respected coach in both domestic and international setups.

In 2022, he served as the pace bowling coach of the Bangladesh national team until the T20 World Cup that year. He is known for his technical expertise and ability to mentor fast bowlers and could help strengthen Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, which has lacked consistency in recent tournaments.

Jonathan Trott

Jonathan Trott is also a noteworthy candidate. The former England batter recently stepped down as Afghanistan’s head coach following their exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup. Trott took charge of Afghanistan in 2022 and enjoyed considerable success, including a strong campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup where they narrowly missed a semifinal berth.

Afghanistan also reached the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup under his leadership. Trott’s ability to nurture emerging talent and build competitive units makes him an attractive prospect for Sri Lanka as they aim to reset and rebuild for the future.