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Sanath Jayasuriya to Step Down as Sri Lanka Coach After T20 World Cup Exit

Sanath Jayasuriya has announced his decision to step down as Sri Lanka's head coach following the team's exit from the T20 World Cup 2026. The announcement came after a narrow 5-run defeat to Pakistan in their final Super Eight match. Jayasuriya revealed he had planned to leave on a high note after the tournament but expressed disappointment at being unable to do so. He stated he will formally discuss his future with the Sri Lanka Cricket board as his contract runs until June.

Key Points: Sanath Jayasuriya Resigns as Sri Lanka Head Coach

  • Jayasuriya decided during England series
  • Contract ends in June
  • Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan by 5 runs
  • Pakistan missed semifinal on NRR
2 min read

World Cup 2026: Disappointed Sanath Jayasuriya plans to step down as head coach

Sri Lanka's head coach Sanath Jayasuriya announces resignation after team's T20 World Cup 2026 exit. Read his statement and match details.

"I thought I should give that title to someone else. - Sanath Jayasuriya"

Pallekele, March 1

Sri Lanka's head coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, has decided to step down from his role as the head coach. The announcement came soon after Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan by 5 runs in their last Super eight match of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Sharing his thoughts, the former swashbuckling left handed batsman said that he had hoped to end the world cup on a "good note", but "couldn't do that as much as I thought".

Co-hosts Sri Lanka, who had already been knocked out of the semifinal race could not end their campaing on a winning note.

Sanath Jayasuriya said he felt it was time to hand over the role to someone else and had already decided during the England series earlier that he would not continue for long.

"I thought I should give that title to someone else. That's why I mentioned two months ago during the England series that I have no plans staying here. So, I said that after taking that decision. I thought from the World Cup, I would be able to leave here as the coach in a good note. I couldn't do that as much as I thought. I feel sorry about that," the former Sri Lankan cricketer said as quoted by the ICC website.

Jayasuriya said that he will discuss his plans with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.

"My contract ends in June. I have not given my official decision or anything to Sri Lanka Cricket. I have to go and discuss with them. Have to talk about what do I have to do," he added.

Coming to the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan T20 WC 2026 match, Half-centuries from skipper Dasun Shanaka and Pavan Rathnayake were not enough after Pakistan posted 212/8 after a 176-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan (100) and Fakhar Zaman (84).

However, Pakistan failed to secure a semifinal spot, as they failed to overtake New Zealand on net run rate.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
It's always tough when a great player becomes a coach. The expectations are sky-high. He gave it his shot. Hope SLC finds a good replacement. As an Indian fan, I miss the old India-Sri Lanka rivalry at its peak!
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Aman W
Respect for taking responsibility. Many coaches just blame the players. 212 was a big target, they came close. That Pavan Rathnayake looks like a future star, yaar.
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Sarah B
Interesting to see Pakistan also missed out on semis despite the win. Net run rate drama till the end! The whole group was unpredictable. Makes you appreciate how tough these tournaments are.
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Vikram M
With due respect to a great of the game, I think the decision is correct. The team's performance has been inconsistent. Sometimes a legendary player is not the best tactical coach. Hope the transition is smooth.
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Karthik V
End of an era. The man who revolutionized opening batting in ODIs. His contract ends in June, so he's seeing it out properly. Class act. Wonder who's next? Maybe they'll look at someone like Mahela or Sangakkara again.

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