Sri Lanka’s Lanka Premier League (LPL) is set for a massive makeover in 2026. Indeed, organizers have introduced two major new rules that have forced teams to completely rethink their plans for LPL 2026 during the player draft in Colombo on Monday (June 1).
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is already being followed around the world, and now Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken a rule from the world’s biggest franchise T20 tournament to make their Lanka Premier League more exciting this season.
Lanka Premier League introduced two new rules
According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, the much-hyped impact player has been brought to the Lanka Premier League by Sri Lanka Cricket. Teams will be allowed to use impact players during IPL 2026 games. This will happen for the first time in the league.
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Additionally, each team must have at least one under-23 player in the playing eleven in every game, even if an impact player is included. That rule made team selection very difficult, especially because there are not many experienced young players available at the moment.
Many of Sri Lanka’s promising Under-19 cricketers are expected to embark on international commitments later this year, leaving the options limited for the franchise. As a result, teams had to carefully select young players who could handle the pressure and contribute at the highest level.
New owner, new coach and new team identity
Apart from these changes, there have been major changes in the Lanka Premier League itself. Four of the five franchises will enter the new season with new owners and a new coaching setup. Many teams have also been rebranded, giving a completely different look to the competition.
While Dambulla Sixers will remain unchanged, Jaffna, Colombo, Kandy and Galle will all get new identities this season. Interestingly, the players’ draft lasted for less than four hours. Each franchise was required to field a squad of at least 18 players, while additional signings could be made later.
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Big names make headlines in LPL 2026 draft
Well, former Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar, fast-rising fast bowler Ishan Malinga, Pakistan’s star batsman Sahibzada Farhan and Sri Lankan stars Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal have attracted attention in the player draft.
Additionally, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mohammad Nawaz were among the biggest names picked by the franchise.
Full squad for Lanka Premier League 2026:
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
Galle Gallants Pre-Signed: Liton Das, Ishan Malinga, Rassie van der Dussen, Dasun Shanaka
Dambulla Sixers: Reeza Hendricks, Dinesh Chandimal, Sahibzada Farhan, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqui, Niroshan Dickwella, Pawan Rathnayake, Akila Dhananjay, Mohammad Wasim, Dhananjay Lakshan, Ramesh Mendis, Sachitha Jayathilake, Gulbadin Naib, Diane Forrester, Shadley Shalkwick, Vishwa Kumara, Guyana weerasinghe
SC Jaffna Kings: Taskin Ahmed, Dunith Welles, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, David Wiese, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamil Mishra, Travin Mathews, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammed Shiraz, Chamindu Wickremesinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lizaad Williams, Deependra Airy, Kugathas Mathulan, Praveen Manisha, Nishan Madushka
Dambulla Sixers pre-signings: Reeza Hendrix, Dinesh Chandimal, Sahibzada Farhan, Dushmantha Chameera
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, Movin Subasingha, Mohammed Haris, Hasan Mahmood, Kushal Bhurtel, Malsha Tharupathy, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Vanujaa Sahan, Anthony Pragasam
Colombo Caps pre-signing: Ben McDermott, Kamindu Mendis, Jimmy Neesham, Kusal Mendis
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
candy royals Pre-Signature: Vijay Shankar, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga
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
SC Jaffna Kings Pre-Signings: Taskin Ahmed, Dunith Velazquez, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa
