Road to Sixth Edition Lanka Premier League (LPL 2026) officially launched in Colombo with an intense and highly strategic player project. With more than 650 global cricketers willing to participate, a refined pool of 421 players was presented to the five competing franchises.
Scheduled to be held from July 17 to August 18, 2026, the upcoming tournament will bring high-octane T20 action at three key venues: Colombo, Dambulla and Pallekele. This year, the stakes are higher than ever due to major tactical rule changes, including the debut of the ‘Impact Substitution’ rule and mandatory requirements to keep an under-23 player in the playing XI at all times. This has forced franchises to think on their feet, balancing expensive tier options with irreplaceable young talent.
Signing and financial allocation of the tactical draft of LPL 2026
The draft structure divided the players into different financial brackets according to their categories. Master tacticians in the Platinum category earned the highest prize at $50,000, while Gold and Classic players earned $30,000 and $20,000 respectively. The Associate Stars took home US$15,000 and the Under-23 Development Majors won US$10,000.
The high-profile project pre-signing hype set the tone before the event even began. The Kandy Royals made headlines by bringing in a veteran anchor Angelo Mathewsspin maestro Wanindu Hasarangaof England Moeen Aliand the recently retired Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar. Meanwhile, Dambulla Sixers locked in local icon Dinesh Chandimal and powerhouse South Africa Reeza Hendricks. The defending champions SC Jaffna Kings they anchored their division around the legend of Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasanwhile Galle Gallants the explosive locked onto the local pacer, creating momentum Eshan Malinga.
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LPL 2026: Official squad lists of players after the draft
After the final draft picks, the five franchises fielded highly balanced rosters of 18-20 players. Here are all the official squads ready to fight for the 2026 championship:
SC Jaffna Kings
Taskin Ahmed, Dunith Wellalage, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, David Wiese, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamil Mishara, Traveen Mathews, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohommed Shiraz, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sandeep Lamiganatha, Dip-Lamigadas, Mathulan, Praveen Manisha, Nishan Madushka.
Colombo Caps
Ben McDermott, Kamindu Mendis, Jimmy Neesham, Kusal Mendis, Binura Fernando, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Milan Ratnayake, Janith Liyanage, Shahnawaz Dahani, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thanuka Dabare, Movin Subasingha, Hanuka Dabare, Movin Subasingha, Hanuka Dabare, Mohammed Kuhal, Bhasan Kuhalis Tharupathi, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Wanuja Sahan, Anthony Pragasam.
Kandy Royals
Vijay Shankar, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thuhara, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Garuka Sanketh, Daniel Sams, Vishen Halambage, Muditha Lakshan, Lahiru Udara, Dale Phillips, Zahiru Udara, Dale Phillips, Zahiru Udara, Brandon Sawan Sande, Brandon Sawanchi Sande, Brandon Sawanchi Dullen Sande, Isitha Wijesundera.
Galle Gallants
Litton Das, Eshan Malinga, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Mohammad Nawaz, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Akif Javed, Sahan Arachchige, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Rathnayake, Ali Hawai, Harindu Rathnayai, Samurai, Samurai, Kalupahana, Uri Koththigoda, Kasun Rajitha, Sachindu Colombage.
Dambulla Sixers
Reeza Hendricks, Dinesh Chandimal, Sahibzada Farhan, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Niroshan Dickwella, Pavan Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Mohammed Wasim, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ramesh Mendis, Sachitha Gulleybadre, Nachitha Gullain, Schalkwyk, Vishva Kumara, Gayana Weerasinghe.
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