The excitement of IPL 2026 may have just wound down, but cricket fans won’t be left wanting. The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 is set to begin, and its player draft has finalized each squad. The tournament promises a strong international flavor, with experienced stars, exciting local talent, and recent retirees making headlines after being picked up by franchises.
Big names and surprise picks
Several notable international players will feature in this year’s LPL. Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka headline the list of marquee signings, while Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz and young Sri Lankan opener Avishka Fernando add further quality. Former India international Vijay Shankar, who recently stepped away from international cricket, was signed by the Kandy Royals, a move that gives the team domestic experience and all-round depth.
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s superstar all-rounder, will turn out for SLC Jaffna Kings, while fast-bowling legend Lasith Malinga’s protégé status lives on with veteran pacer Ishan Malinga joining the Galle Gallants. Dambulla Sixers strengthened with Sahibzada Farhan, and other teams added a mix of experience and youth to balance their lineups.
Team-by-team squads after the draft
SLC Jaffna Kings
SLC Jaffna Kings assembled a balanced and powerful unit. Their squad mixes international firepower and local match-winners: Taskin Ahmed, Dunith Wellalage, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, David Viseri, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamil Mishara, Travis Mathews, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Siraj, Chamindu Wickremasinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lijaad Williams, Deependra Eri, Kugathas Mathulan, Praveen Manisha, and Nishan Madushka. With Shakib’s experience and Siraj’s pace, Jaffna looks strong in both the bowling and batting departments.
Colombo Caps
Colombo Caps’ squad blends explosive hitters and dependable bowlers. Key names include Ben McDermott, Kamindu Mendis, Jimmy Neesham, Kusal Mendis, Binura Fernando, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sadira Samarawickrama, Milan Ratnayake, Janith Liyanage, Shahnawaz Dahani, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thanuka Dabare, Movin Subasingha, Mohammad Harris, Hasan Mahmud, Kushal Bhurtel, Malsha Tharupathi, Sharu Jan Shanmuganathan, Wanuja Sahan and Anthony Pragasam. The Caps’ mix of spin and pace options gives them flexibility across conditions.
Kandy Royals
Kandy Royals made waves by signing Vijay Shankar and adding other international and local talents. Their squad includes Vijay Shankar, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thushara, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Garuka Sanketh, Daniel Sams, Vishen Halambege, Muditha Lakshan, Lahiru Udara, Del Phillips, Zaheer Khan, Brandon McMullen, Sahan Mihira, Pawan Sandesh, Dushan Hemamtha, and Isitha Wijesundara. The Royals now have solid batting depth and spin resources with Wanindu Hasaranga and Moeen Ali offering match-winning skills.
Galle Gallants
Galle Gallants boast a star-studded lineup in both batting and bowling. Their picks include Litton Das, Ishan Malinga, Rassie van der Dussen, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Mohammad Nawaz, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Vijaykant Viyaskant, Akeef Javed, Sahan Arachige, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Rathnayake, Sam Harper, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Haider Ali, Dinura Kalupahana, Uri Kothigoda, Kasun Rajitha and Sachindu Colombage. With Rassie’s class and Mehidy and Nawaz strengthening the spin department, Galle looks well-equipped for the LPL’s varied conditions.
Dambulla Sixers
Dambulla Sixers focused on a mix of youth and experience when finalizing their roster. Their squad features Reza Hendricks, Dinesh Chandimal, Sahibzada Farhan, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Niroshan Dickwella, Pawan Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Mohammad Wasim, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ramesh Mendis, Sachitha Jayatilaka, Gulbadin Naib, Dian Forrester, Shadley Shalkwick, Vishva Kumar, and Guyana Veerasinhge. Dambulla boasts some seriously fierce bowlers, Chameera and Farooqi, and they’ve got skilled spinners too, Akila and Theekshana. This combo makes them a threat no matter what phase of the game.
What these squads mean for LPL 2026
The 2026 LPL draft created some tough competition. Franchises aimed to boost both spin and middle-order strength, fitting for Sri Lankan pitches that typically love spinners. They also picked overseas hitting machines and quick bowlers, which help handle all sorts of match scenarios.
Key storylines to watch:
- Shakib, Hasaranga, and van der Dussen might just be the stars leading the pack. They’ll head up batting and spin for their teams, respectively. After all, these guys are top picks for their standout skills.
- Former international signings: Vijay Shankar brings IPL-polished experience to Kandy. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles the LPL conditions.
- Bowling depth: Teams like Dambulla and Galle loaded up their pace attacks too, because flat pitches need wickets to control runs. These selections could decide match outcomes, so speed matters a lot.
Tournament timing and broader context
LPL 2026 will stick to the IPL calendar, keeping the T20 action non-stop for fans around the world. Sri Lanka Cricket and the LPL team will finalize the specific dates and locations. Still, the organizers plan to create a tight schedule that accommodates both international players’ obligations and TV broadcast slots.
