Sanath Jayasuriya takes THIS shocking step after Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup 2026 debacle - Reports
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Under Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka failed to win a single match in Super 8 stage of ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Playing all their matches on home soil, Sri Lanka failed to deliver yet again in a T20 World Cup. Since winning in 2014, they are yet to reach the semi-finals of the competition, marking their sharp decline post the retirement of legends like Sangakkara and Malinga.
After some promise shown in the group stage with a clinical win over Australia, injuries derailed them. It followed a loss against Zimbabwe which showed a sneak peek into their future in the tournament. England thrashed the co-hosts, after which New Zealand made a comeback from a losing position to hammer Sri Lanka.
This led to their elimination, and calls were made for serious introspection. Big calls will be made as Sri Lanka look to return to their glory days in the sport.
Sanath Jayasuriya requests to step down as Sri Lanka head coach
Sanath Jayasuriya’s original contract as head coach was until June 2026. However according to reports from Cricbuzz, the Sri Lankan legend has now requested to step down from the position after his team’s poor performance on home soil. He wants to get relieved earlier if a suitable replacement is found.
Under his tenure which began in 2024 after the T20 World Cup in Barbados, Sri Lanka achieved several impressive feats. This includes their first bilateral ODI series win against India in 27 years, a historic Test win against England in Oval, and a 2-0 test-match series victory against New Zealand at home.
However, 2025 was a year to forget, which has had a major say in Jayasuriya’s decision to step down with this T20 World Cup being the final nail in the coffin. Apart from Jayasuriya, captain Dasun Shanaka could also find his captaincy role in danger. It remains to be seen who takes over from Sanath Jayasuriya as Sri Lanka’s new head coach.
Did Sri Lanka qualify for semi-finals of T20 World Cup 2026?
No, Sri Lanka finished winless in Super 8, losing all three matches.
What followed Sri Lanka’s shocking exit?
Coach Sanath Jayasuriya stepped down from his head coach position.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.