India, March 9 -- Sri Lanka Cricket on Monday announced the appointment of Gary Kirsten as head coach of the national men's team, confirming that the former South Africa opener will take charge from April 15, 2026, on a two-year contract that runs until April 14, 2028. In its media release, SLC also underlined that Kirsten's primary brief will include leading Sri Lanka's build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Kirsten arrives after the end of Sanath Jayasuriya's tenure, which had initially begun as an interim assignment in July 2024 following Chris Silverwood's resignation. Jayasuriya was later handed the full-time role, with Sri Lanka Cricket saying in October 2024 that his term would run from October 1...