Jayasuriya’s coaching philosophy can elevate Sri Lanka cricket to new heights

Former cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya was appointed Sri Lanka cricket head coach on Monday, replacing Chris Silverwood who quit following the country’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.

With an illustrious playing career and a natural inclination towards aggressive, fearless cricket, Jayasuriya is poised to lead the Sri Lankan team through a transformative phase, both on and off the field.

The decision to hand Jayasuriya the full-time coaching role came after his impressive stint as interim head coach, during which Sri Lanka registered major series wins across formats.

The most notable was the team’s first 50-over series win over India in 27 years and their first away Test victory against England in a decade.

The 55-year-old also led Sri Lanka to a 2-0 test series win over New Zealand at home as interim coach, which helped them cement third place on the current World Test Championship standings, with last year's finalists India and Australia now the only two teams ahead of the island nation.

The legacy of Jayasuriya's aggressive cricket

One of the most significant contributions Jayasuriya brings to Sri Lankan cricket is his aggressive, fearless brand of play. As a player, he was instrumental in redefining the way one-day cricket was approached during the 1996 World Cup, co-hosted by Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. His revolutionary “pinch-hitting” style during the powerplay overs set the stage for a more aggressive approach to limited-overs cricket, now common in the modern game.

Jayasuriya’s willingness to take risks on the field translated into massive gains for Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup, which they eventually won. He was not only an explosive opener but also an allrounder who contributed with both bat and ball. This legacy of bold, attacking cricket is something Jayasuriya seems keen on instilling in the current team. His style mirrors that of England’s "Bazball," introduced by Brendon McCullum, which revolutionized their Test cricket fortunes by promoting aggressive and fearless play.

Sri Lanka's head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and chief selector Upul Tharanga speak to the media.AFP

Speaking to the media after his appointment, Jayasuriya emphasized how critical confidence and trust are in his coaching philosophy. He builds an environment where players feel empowered to take risks and play their natural game without the fear of failure hanging over them.

"What I have always said is that it's all about confidence and trust. I created that around the team and that's very important," Jayasuriya told the media.

This emphasis on attacking, instinctive cricket could be the spark Sri Lanka needs to rediscover its winning ways.

Breaking down communication barriers

One of the important advantages Jayasuriya has over his predecessors, especially foreign coaches, is his ability to communicate effortlessly with the players. In a sport as nuanced as cricket, communication between coach and players is paramount. Language barriers have often complicated this dynamic in the past, with foreign coaches relying on translators or struggling to convey their strategies effectively.

Sri Lanka's Charith Asalanka and Sanath Jayasuriya have a chat.Sri Lanka Cricket

Being a native Sinhalese speaker, Jayasuriya has a direct line of communication with the players, which fosters trust and openness. Players feel more comfortable discussing their concerns and receiving feedback when they can communicate in their own language.

"It's easy for me to communicate first and foremost," he said. "Any issues they have they can speak with me freely, and it's easy to sort out. They have the confidence to do that. They also know what sort of cricket I played, so they know the value I bring."

This advantage, combined with Jayasuriya’s extensive experience as a player and captain, enhances his ability to connect with his team on a personal level.

Data-driven approach and methodology

While Jayasuriya is known for his aggressive style of cricket, he is not without his methodical side. His approach to coaching emphasizes preparation, innovation, and the use of data. Jayasuriya has been clear about the importance of the "brain center"—Sri Lanka’s state-of-the-art analysis department—in preparing for matches.

"A very key area at the moment is the analysing department. That's why Sri Lanka Cricket has invested a lot of money to the 'brain center'. We got some support from India too recently to educate our analysis department. It was very successful. And every tour we get data on the opposition, we go through it and discuss every detail. We then discuss our plans 48 hours before the match, so it's easy for us to go out and execute our plan," Jayasuriya said.

Jayasuriya also believes in keeping training sessions interesting and engaging, but also encourages players to switch off after sessions, reducing unnecessary pressure.

"In practice, we try and find different ways to do them [training sessions]," he said. "I want to make them interesting. Even before we start training, we've done little changes to create a nice atmosphere. So there are little things I do but it goes a long way,” he said.

This balance between preparation and mental relaxation has already started showing results, as seen in Sri Lanka’s improved performances.

A balanced, merit-based team selection

Jayasuriya’s tenure is likely to see a shift in team selection as well. Unlike some coaches who might show favoritism or persist with underperforming players, Jayasuriya has been firm in stating that he will always field the team that is best for Sri Lankan cricket.

As a local coach, Jayasuriya also recognizes the broader responsibility he carries.

"But I have a responsibility as a local coach, I don't have favourites. I will always play the team that is best for Sri Lanka cricket. I know that after me, it's unlikely that a local coach will get this role. So there's a responsibility I have on that end as well," he said.

The road ahead

Jayasuriya’s first major ICC event as full-time head coach will be the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, scheduled for 2025. The Champions Trophy holds sentimental value for Jayasuriya, as it will be hosted by Pakistan, one of the venues where he made his mark during the 1996 World Cup.

However, the long-term goal remains Sri Lanka’s performance in the World Test Championship, where the team currently sits in third place. The possibility of a Test Championship final at Lord's in 2025 is a tantalizing prospect for both Jayasuriya and Sri Lankan cricket.

Jayasuriya’s tenure is until the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March, giving him the chance to leave a mark in all three formats. These ICC events provide him an opportunity to cement his legacy not only as one of Sri Lanka's greatest players but also as a transformative head coach.