![Sanath Jayasuriya steps down [Source: @ImThimira07/x.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772305334222_SanathJayasuriyaresignsasheadcoach.jpg?type=hq)
Sanath Jayasuriya steps down [Source: @ImThimira07/x.com]
Sometimes in cricket, the writing is on the wall long before the official announcement comes. And on a night when Sri Lanka lost by just 5 runs to Pakistan and crashed out of the T20 World Cup, that writing became bold and impossible to ignore.
Sanath Jayasuriya has decided to step down as Sri Lanka’s head coach. What makes it more dramatic is this that he hadn’t even informed Sri Lanka Cricket beforehand. The bombshell came straight from the post-match press conference.
End of the road for Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya
Sri Lanka’s campaign ended with a narrow defeat. At the post-match conference, Jayasuriya said his original contract runs till June 2026. But it sounded like a man who had already made up his mind as he looked disappointed.
There is still a chance he oversees the upcoming bilateral T20I and ODI series against Afghanistan starting March 13 in Sharjah. But beyond that, the road looks uncertain.
Big names in the support staff but no magic
Sri Lanka Cricket had not left any stone unturned while preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup. They stacked the backroom with serious experience.
Vikram Rathour handled the batting, R Sridhar looked after fielding, Lasith Malinga came in as bowling consultant and Rene Ferdinands worked with the spinners.
On paper, that is a coaching dugout full of heavyweights. Add to that the home advantage, familiar pitches, favourable conditions and crowd behind you.
Still, Sri Lanka couldn’t get the engine running. They missed the semi-finals as four straight losses ended their home World Cup dream. When that happens, someone has to carry the can and more often than not, it is the coach.
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Jaysuriya’s bright start that faded away
Jayasuriya’s early months as coach were promising. He took charge soon after the 2024 T20 World Cup and hit the ground running.
Sri Lanka beat India in an ODI bilateral series in August 2024. That was their first such win against India in 27 years. They also won a Test at The Oval in September that year. They had already lost the series, yes, but that win showed fight. Then came a 2-0 Test series win over New Zealand at home.
But cricket can be a cruel game. The last year of Jayasuriya’s tenure was full of bumps. Sri Lanka were average in the 2025 Asia Cup. They underwhelmed in the T20I tri-series in Pakistan. England swept them 3-0 in T20Is before this World Cup.
And then came the biggest blow, a home T20 World Cup where they lost four on the trot and bowed out early.
It is worth mentioning that Jayasuriya is not new to Sri Lanka Cricket’s corridors. He has served as chief selector before, in two separate stints. He knows the system inside out. He knows the pressure cooker environment that surrounds Sri Lankan cricket. That is probably why his resignation feels heavy.
Who will be Sri Lanka’s head coach?
The big question now is simple. Where does Sri Lanka go from here?
The team has talent but talent alone doesn’t win tournaments. They need consistency, clarity and maybe a fresh voice in the dressing room.
For Jayasuriya, this chapter may be closing. But in cricket, comebacks are always around the corner. He has been counted out before as a player and bounced back swinging. Coaching might follow a similar script someday.
For now though, the T20 World Cup exit has claimed its first major scalp. And Sri Lankan cricket once again finds itself at a crossroads.
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