Former skipper takes Lankan coaching role

Legendary Sri Lanka player Kumar Sangakkara inspired the current crop of internationals to victory against India in the Champions Trophy, but the side has turned elsewhere for their next batting coach.

Former captain Hashan Tillakaratne has taken on the role with the Sri Lanka senior men's team, working with them since the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe that followed an ODI series defeat.

Sri Lanka narrowly prevailed in the Test on the fifth day thanks to a slice of luck and some excellent batting.

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Tillakaratne has maintained the role for the islanders' series against India, which begins on Wednesday with the first of three Tests in Galle.

"Hashan has been with us since the recent Test match against Zimbabwe, actually," Sri Lanka Cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha said.

"At this stage, for all the Tests he will be batting coach.

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"Most probably after the Indian series we'll discuss with coach Nic Pothas and see what's happening from there.

"With all his experience, there is a lot the batsmen can learn from him."

Tillakaratne's appointment on the temporary basis follows that of legendary paceman Chaminda Vaas who will mentor the bowling attack against India.

Vaas replaced Champaka Ramanayake, who resigned after the Zimbabwe series, and brought with him 111 Tests and 355 wickets' worth of experience.

Both Vaas and Tillakaratne had been in Sri Lanka Cricket's coaching system before resuming roles with the national side.

The staff changes are the latest in a period of upheaval for the Sri Lankans, including new captain Dinesh Chandimal – who replaced Angelo Mathews as captain in the Test against Zimbabwe – was ruled out of the opening match against India after being hospitalised with pneumonia.

Veteran spinner Rangana Herath, who is hunting his 400th Test scalp, will take over the leadership of the team.

In the UK last month, then-captain Mathews revealed some tips from Sangakkara helped the Sri Lankans turn their campaign around to upset eventual finalists India.

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Having been thrashed by South Africa in their tournament opener, they then chased down India's 321 for a seven-wicket win, their joint-hightest ODI run chase with Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis each making half-centuries.

"Kusal (Mendis) met Sanga to get some batting tips because he is the king," Mathews said.

"We all look up to him and take advice from him, all the batters. He taught us good things about how to play on these tracks.

"The guys met him, took a lot of advice and went out there and did it today."