Sri Lanka’s Lanka Premier League (LPL) is set for a massive shake-up in 2026. Actually, the organizers have introduced two major new rules that forced teams to completely rethink their plans during the player draft in Colombo on Monday (June 1) for the LPL 2026.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has already been followed across the world, and now Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken one rule from the world’s biggest franchise T20 tournament to make their Lanka Premier League more exciting this season.
Lanka Premier League introduces two new rules
As reported by ESPNCricinfo, the highly debated Impact Player has been brought into the Lanka Premier League by Sri Lanka Cricket. The teams will be allowed to use the Impact Players during the IPL 2026 games. This will happen in the league for the very first time.
Additionally, every team must have at least one under-23 player in the playing XI in every game, even after an impact player is brought in. That rule made squad selection much tougher, especially because there are not many experienced young players available at the moment.
Sri Lanka’s several promising Under-19 cricketers are expected to be involved in international commitments later this year, which reduced the options for franchises. As a result, teams had to carefully choose young players who could handle pressure and contribute at the highest level.
New owners, new coaches and fresh team identities
Away from these changes, the Lanka Premier League itself has undergone major changes. Four of the five franchises will enter the new season with new owners and fresh coaching setups. Several teams have also been rebranded, giving the competition a completely different look.
While Dambulla Sixers remain unchanged, Jaffna, Colombo, Kandy, and Galle will all have the new identities this season. Interestingly, the player draft lasted for less than four hours. Every franchise was required to build a squad of at least 18 players, while additional signings could be made later.
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Big names steal spotlight at LPL 2026 Draft
Well, the former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar, fast-rising pacer Eshan Malinga, Pakistan’s star batter Sahibzada Farhan, and Sri Lankan stars Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal have grabbed the attention at the player draft.
Additionally, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Mohammed Nawaz were among the biggest names snapped up by franchises.
Full squads for Lanka Premier League 2026:
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
Galle Gallants Pre-signings: Litton Das, Eshan Malinga, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Dasun Shanaka
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
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
Dambulla Sixers Pre-signings: Reeza Hendricks, Dinesh Chandimal, Sahibzada Farhan, Dushmantha Chameera
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
Colombo Kaps Pre-signings: Ben McDermott, Kamindu Mendis, Jimmy Neesham, Kusal Mendis
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
Kandy Royals Pre-signings: Vijay Shankar, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga
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
SC Jaffna Kings Pre-signings: Taskin Ahmed, Dunith Wellalage, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa
