Sri Lanka have appointed Gary Kirsten as their new head coach on a two year contract. The move is part of their plans for the 2027 One Day International World Cup. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the decision on Monday.
Kirsten is 58 years old. He guided India to the 2011 World Cup title. He later coached South Africa from 2011 to 2013. He also worked as Pakistan’s white ball coach in 2024 but resigned after six months.
He replaces Sanath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya stepped down after Sri Lanka’s poor run in the recent Twenty20 World Cup.
“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten as the new head coach of the national men’s team, effective from April 15, 2026,” the board said in a statement.
“The appointment of the new head coach is part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s efforts to revamp the structure of the National High Performance Center.”
The 2027 World Cup will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
South Africa and Zimbabwe will qualify for the tournament automatically as hosts. Namibia will still need to qualify. The team must go through the normal qualification path because it is not a full member of the International Cricket Council.
