How Jayasuriya transformed Sri Lanka into a winning machine

Rex Clementine  in Kandy

On a balmy Thursday night in Dambulla, a sell-out crowd witnessed Sri Lanka clinch a historic first-ever series win over the West Indies. Despite the Caribbean side’s reputation as a T20 powerhouse, ranked third in the world, they were outclassed by an eighth-ranked Sri Lankan team that stuck to the basics. No brute-force power hitting. Instead, they backed their strengths, smart running between the wickets, and reintroduced the disciplined cricket that seemed lost not long ago. Behind this revival stands one man—Sanath Jayasuriya.

In just three months, Jayasuriya has reshaped this team by drilling down on four key pillars: sharp fielding, quick running between the wickets, commitment, and fitness. Under his leadership, optional training has become a thing of the past, and the team is honing their skills with a clear focus on getting better every day.

Yet, like any team in transition, Sri Lanka is far from the finished product. There are areas that still need attention: power hitting, greater accuracy from the spinners, and an end to those sudden batting collapses. But the strides they’ve made suggest that in 12 months’ time, we may once again see the kind of dynamic, aggressive cricket that Sri Lanka is famous for.

One of Jayasuriya’s greatest successes has been unlocking the potential of Kusal Mendis. Talented but inconsistent, Mendis has long been a source of frustration—brimming with ability but frequently throwing his wicket away or finding trouble off the field. Much like how Pep Guardiola transformed Raheem Sterling into one of football’s most reliable forwards, Jayasuriya has quietly re-engineered Mendis’ mindset. He took Mendis aside and made it clear: follow the program or face the consequences. The turning point came when Mendis was dropped for the Lord’s Test in August, a wake-up call he desperately needed. Since then, the player who once seemed destined for a career of wasted potential has been a revelation.

Mendis has shown his class not just in one-off performances but in key moments. He played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s victory at The Oval, notched a crucial century against New Zealand in Galle, and delivered a match-winning knock in the series-deciding third T20 against the West Indies. From a player who seemed unreliable, like a tennis player double-faulting on match point, Mendis has evolved into a calm, strategic leader—offering advice to the captain on reviews, constantly talking to the bowlers, and mentoring younger players like Pathum Nissanka. It’s a transformation akin to Virat Kohli’s journey from a hot-headed rookie to a composed, world-class performer who takes responsibility for his team’s fortunes.

However, Jayasuriya’s revival hasn’t been without its challenges. Power hitting, for instance, remains a work in progress. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, a naturally gifted batsman, has been tasked with this role, but his fitness issues and slow movement in the field make him a liability. It’s a situation reminiscent of how Diego Maradona handled Ariel Ortega during his coaching stint—brilliant on his day, but inconsistent due to personal shortcomings. One suspects that Jayasuriya has laid down an ultimatum for Bhanuka: improve your fitness and focus, or risk being dropped. In such a results-driven environment, both Bhanuka and the trainers know that time is ticking.

What Jayasuriya’s tenure proves is that Sri Lanka doesn’t need a foreign coach to clean up the mess. A homegrown leader, one who understands the culture and the players, can do wonders. Much like how Bob Woolmer built the South African team around focusing on discipline, teamwork and fielding rather than big-name stars, Jayasuriya has taken a no-nonsense approach with this young side. He knows when to hand out praise and when to demand more, keeping everyone on a tight leash but ensuring they feel supported.

The results are already speaking for themselves. Sri Lanka ended a 27-year drought by beating India in a series, won a Test match in England after ten long years, claimed their first Test series victory over New Zealand in 15 years, and now a first-ever T20 series triumph over the West Indies. In the span of three months, this team has made significant progress across all three formats.

It’s clear that a hands-on coach like Jayasuriya can do wonders for a team still finding its feet. Like any great coach, he’s not just focused on short-term wins but on building a sustainable model for success. The path ahead may have its challenges, but Sri Lanka’s resurgence under Jayasuriya has already begun, and the future looks bright.