The path to the sixth edition of Lanka Premier League (LPL 2026) The season officially kicked off with an intense and highly strategic player draft in Colombo. With over 650 global cricketers eager to participate, a refined pool of 421 players was presented to the five competing franchises.
The upcoming tournament, scheduled from July 17 to August 18, 2026, will bring high-octane T20 action across three key venues: Colombo, Dambulla and Pallekele. This year, the stakes are higher than ever due to unprecedented changes to the tactical rule including the introduction of the ‘Impact Substitution’ rule and the mandatory requirement to have an Under-23 player in the playing XI at all times. This forced franchises to think on their feet while balancing expensive level selection with indispensable young talent.
Signing of the strategic draft and financial details of LPL 2026
The draft structure divided players into different financial brackets based on their categories. Master Strategists in the Platinum category earned the highest prize, US$50,000, while players in the Gold and Classic categories received US$30,000 and US$20,000, respectively. Associate stars brought home US$15,000, and players in the key emerging under-23 category earned US$10,000.
A flurry of high-profile pre-draft signings set the tone before the event even started. candy royals Made headlines by bringing veteran anchor angelo matthewsspin maestro Wanindu Hasarangaof England Moeen AliAnd recently retired Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar. During this time, Dambulla Sixers locked in local icon Dinesh Chandimal and south african powerhouse reeza hendricks. defending champion SC Jaffna Kings Bangladesh established its unit around the legend shakib al hassanWhereas Galle Gallants Created momentum by locking explosive local pacers Ishaan Malinga.
Also read: Player who hit 6 sixes in one over in T20I ft Kushal Bhurtel
LPL 2026: Official team roster after player draft
Following the final draft selections, the five franchises have prepared highly balanced rosters of 18 to 20 players. Here are the full official teams set to fight for the 2026 title:
SC Jaffna Kings
Taskin Ahmed, Dunit Velazquez, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, David Wiese, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamil Mishara, Traveen Mathews, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammed Shiraz, Chamindu Wickremesinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lizaad Williams, Deependra Airy, Kugatha Mathulan, Praveen Manisha, Nishan Madushka.
Colombo Caps
Ben McDermott, Kamindu Mendis, Jimmy Neesham, Kusal Mendis, Binura Fernando, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sadira Samarawickrama, Milan Ratnayake, Zenith Liyanaz, Shahnawaz Dahani, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thanuka Dabre, Mowin Subasingha, Mohammad Haris, Hasan Mahmood, Kushal Bhurtel, Malsha Tharupathy, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Vanujaa Sahan, Anthony Pragasam.
candy royals
Vijay Shankar, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thushara, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Garuka Sanketh, Daniel Sams, Vishen Halambaj, Muditha Lakshan, Lahiru Udara, Dale Phillips, Zaheer Khan, Brandon McMullen, Sahaan Mihira, Pawan Sandesh, Dushan Hemantha, Ishitha Wijesundara.
Galle Gallants
Liton Das, Ishan Malinga, Rassie van der Dussen, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Mohammad Nawaz, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Kruspule, Vijayakanth Wisakant, Akif Javed, Sahan Arachige, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Rathnayake, Sam Harper, Mehdi Hasan Miraj, Haider Ali, Dinura Kaluphana, Uri Kothigoda, Kasun Rajitha, Sachindu Colombage.
Dambulla Sixers
Reeza Hendricks, Dinesh Chandimal, Sahibzada Farhan, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahish Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Niroshan Dickwella, Pawan Rathnayake, Akila Dhananjay, Mohammed Wasim, Dhananjay Lakshan, Ramesh Mendis, Sachitha Jayathilake, Gulbadin Naib, Diane Forrester, Shadley Shalkwick, Vishwa Kumar, Guyana Weerasinghe.
Also read: The player who scored the fastest half-century in the IPL final, Virat Kohli
