Lanka Premier League 2026: Teams, Captains and Key Players Guide

Excitement is brewing for the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), which is set to take place from July 17 to August 8, 2026. With the player draft completed successfully, there are five competitive franchises with 93 local and international cricket stars to battle it out across Sri Lanka.

Here’s a closer look at the teams, their captains, and the main squad setups before the tournament:

1. Colombo Kaps  

Kusal Mendis, the captain and wicketkeeper, has led Colombo Kaps to a full 20-player squad, with a focus on structural depth. They have local star Kamindu Mendis, who is highly rated, along with overseas icon players like Jimmy Neesham and Ben McDermott. Mujeeb Ur Rahman provided spin power, and Binura Fernando provided local pace as the team’s draft picks. German wicketkeeper Rubin Hermann is a key substitute player.

The other members of the squad are Milan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Shahnawaz Dahani, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thanuka Dabare, Movin Subasingha, Hasan Mahmud, Kushal Bhurtel, Malsha Tharupathi, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Wanuja Sahan, and Anthony Arul Pragasam.

Squad:

• Kusal Mendis (Captain)

• Kamindu Mendis

• Binura Fernando

• Mujeeb Ur Rahman

• Sadeera Samarawickrama

• Milan Rathnayake

• Janith Liyanage

• Shahnawaz Dahani

• Jeffrey Vandersay

• Thanuka Dabare

• Movin Subasingha

• Hasan Mahmud

• Kushal Bhurtel

• Malsha Tharupathi

• Sharujan Shanmuganathan

• Wanuja Sahan

• Anthony Arul Pragasam

• Jimmy Neesham

• Ben McDermott

• Rubin Hermann

2. Dambulla Sixers  

The Dambulla Sixers have put together a well-rounded squad of 18, with Dinesh Chandimal to captain and keep wickets. Local icon bowler Dushmantha Chameera and South African batsman Reeza Hendricks are key players for the team. They strengthened their bowling attack at the draft, adding mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana and Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi.

The squad includes Sahibzada Farhan, Niroshan Dickwella, Pavan Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ramesh Mendis, Sachitha Jayathilake, Gulbadin Naib, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Vishwa Lahiru Kumara, Gayana Weerasinghe, and Marques Ackerman as a replacement player.

Squad

• Dinesh Chandimal (Captain)

• Dushmantha Chameera

• Maheesh Theekshana

• Fazalhaq Farooqi

• Niroshan Dickwella

• Pavan Rathnayake

• Akila Dananjaya

• Mohammad Wasim Jr.

• Dhananjaya Lakshan

• Ramesh Mendis

• Sachitha Jayathilake

• Gulbadin Naib

• Shadley van Schalkwyk

• Vishwa Lahiru Kumara

• Gayana Weerasinghe

• Reeza Hendricks

• Sahibzada Farhan

• Marques Ackerman

3. Galle Gallants  

All-rounder Dasun Shanaka will captain the Galle Gallants. The team has some big names, including local hero Eshan Malinga and Bangladesh batsman Litton Das. The draft added major firepower to the squad, including Sri Lankan batsman Charith Asalanka and Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

The remaining list includes Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Akif Javed, Sahan Arachchige, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Rathnayake, Sam Harper, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Dinura Kalupahana, Yuri Koththigoda, Kasun Rajitha, Sachindu Colombage, and new additions Virandeep Singh and Chris Lynn.

Squad

• Dasun Shanaka (Captain)

• Eshan Malinga

• Charith Asalanka

• Mohammad Nawaz

• Pramod Madushan

• Lasith Croospulle

• Vijayakanth Viyaskanth

• Akif Javed

• Sahan Arachchige

• Chamika Karunaratne

• Tharindu Rathnayake

• Sam Harper

• Mehidy Hasan Miraz

• Dinura Kalupahana

• Yuri Koththigoda

• Kasun Rajitha

• Sachindu Colombage

• Litton Das

• Chris Lynn

• Virandeep Singh

4. Jaffna Kings  

Four-time champions Jaffna Kings will be looking to continue their dominant legacy with Bhanuka Rajapaksa at the helm. They boast a 19-player squad packed with high-profile stars, including Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, and local star Dunith Wellalage. Their draft strategy included explosive opener Avishka Fernando and veteran David Wiese.

The rest of the star-studded squad are Dilshan Madushanka, Kamil Mishara, Traveen Mathew, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohamed Shiraz, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lizaad Williams, Kugathas Mathulan, Praveen Manisha, Nishan Madushka, and replacement bowler Zahoor Khan.

Squad

• Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Captain)

• Dunith Wellalage

• Avishka Fernando

• David Wiese

• Dilshan Madushanka

• Kamil Mishara

• Traveen Mathew

• Ibrahim Zadran

• Mohamed Shiraz

• Chamindu Wickramasinghe

• Nuwanidu Fernando

• Sandeep Lamichhane

• Lizaad Williams

• Kugathas Mathulan

• Praveen Manisha

• Nishan Madushka

• Shakib Al Hasan

• Taskin Ahmed

• Zahoor Khan

5. Kandy Royals  

Veteran player Angelo Mathews will captain the Kandy Royals for this edition. They have constructed their team around local hero Wanindu Hasaranga and English all-rounder Moeen Ali. They got the blistering Nuwan Thushara and Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar through the draft.

The Royals have a 20-player squad that includes Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Garuka Sanketh, Vishen Halambage, Muditha Lakshan, Lahiru Udara, Dale Phillips, Zahir Khan, Brandon McMullen, Sahan Mihira, Pavan Sandesh, Dushan Hemantha, and Isitha Wijesundara, plus high-profile replacements Sediqullah Atal and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The player drafts are done, and the teams have finalized their rosters so cricket fans can look forward to some great rivalries and quality T20 action when the matches get underway in Colombo, Dambulla, and Kandy.

Squad

• Angelo Mathews (Captain)

• Wanindu Hasaranga

• Nuwan Thushara

• Kusal Perera

• Asitha Fernando

• Garuka Sanketh

• Vishen Halambage

• Muditha Lakshan

• Lahiru Udara

• Dale Phillips

• Zahir Khan

• Brandon McMullen

• Sahan Mihira

• Pavan Sandesh

• Dushan Hemantha

• Isitha Wijesundara

• Moeen Ali

• Vijay Shankar

• Shaheen Shah Afridi

• Sediqullah Atal