
LPL 2026 (Source -Twitter/X)
The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 recently concluded its player draft ahead of the commencement of the tournament, with several high-profile names getting picked. The showpiece event saw Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Charith Asalanka, and Avishka Fernando as the most significant picks after a few notable names made it to the team sheets through pre-draft signings.
Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, among the most experienced cricketers, were a part of the pre-signing deals and went to Kandy Royals and Dambulla Sixers, respectively. Vijay Shankar, the recently retired Indian cricketer, was also picked by the Kandy-based franchise. The Dambulla side signed Sahibzada Farhan, while star pacer Eshan Malinga was snapped up by the Galle Gallants. Shakib Al Hasan was signed by Jaffna Kings.
Players taking part under the draft were divided across different categories – Platinum, Gold, Classic, Associate, and Emerging Under-23. Each had a sub-category for local Lankans and overseas players. Players under the Platinum category will receive US$50,000, while those in Gold and Classic will receive US$ 30,000 and US$20,000, respectively. The associate and U-23 are to receive US$15,000 and US$10,000, respectively.
LPL 2026 Pre-signings:
| Team Name | Players pre-signed |
| SC Jaffna Kings | Taskin Ahmed, Dunith Wellalage, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa |
| Galle Gallants | Litton Das, Eshan Malinga, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Dasun Shanaka |
| Kandy Royals | Vijay Shankar, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga |
| Colombo Kaps | Ben McDermott, Kamindu Mendis, Jimmy Neesham, Kusal Mendis |
| Dambulla Sixers | Reeza Hendricks, Dinesh Chandimal, Sahibzada Farhan, Dushmantha Chameera |
LPL 2026: Full squads
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 Lamichhane, Lizaad Williams, Dipendra Airee, Kugathas Mathulan, Praveen Manisha, Nishan Madushka
Colombo Kaps
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, Mohammed Haris, Hasan Mahmud, Kushal Bhurtel, Malsha Tharupathi, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Wanuja Sahan, Anthony Pragasam
Kandy Royals
Vijay Shankar, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thushara, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Garuka Sanketh, Daniel Sams, Vishen Halambage, Muditha Lakshan, Lahiru Udara, Dale Phillips, Zahir Khan, Brandon McMullen, Sahan Mihira, Pawan Sandesh, Dushan Hemantha, 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, Sam Harper, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Haider Ali, Dinura 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 Jayatilake, Gulbadin Naib, Dian Forrester, Shadley Schalkwyk, Vishva Kumara, Gayana Weerasinghe
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