// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did 2026 Kandy Royals say to the ball? You're royally grounded.
(Redirected from Kandy Royals in 2026)
| 2026 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach | Chaminda Vaas | ||
| Captain | Angelo Mathews | ||
| |||
The Kandy Royals (KR) is the franchise cricket team based in Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka. They will be one of the five teams to compete in the 2026 Lanka Premier League. The team will captain by Angelo Mathews and will coach by Chaminda Vaas.
Background
[edit source]In May 2026, the Kandy franchise was bought by a US-based investor Sandhya Ajjarapu and renamed the franchise as "Kandy Royals".[1]
Squad
[edit source]In early May 2026, Royals announced that Angelo Mathews and Wanindu Hasaranga would be their two local pre-signings. On 23 May, they announced that Moeen Ali would be their one overseas pre-signing. On 26 May, they announced that Vijay Shankar would be their other overseas pre-signing.[2][3][4]
A few days after the draft, Royals' Platinum pick, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, withdrew from the season due to his commitments in the Shpageeza Cricket League.[5] On 8 July, Sediqullah Atal was announced as the replacement for him.
On July 12, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been signed as a replacement, replacing Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams, who had withdrawn from the tournament on July 11 due to personal reasons.
On July 25, Kavija Gamage was signed as a replacement for Vishen Halambage, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a right hamstring injury.
| No. | Name | Nat. | Date of birth | Batting style | Bowling style | Year signed | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batters | ||||||||
| 26 | Sediqullah Atal |  |
12 August 2001 (aged 24) | Left handed | N/a | 2026 | Overseas Platinum | Replacement for Rahmanullah |
| 15 | Muditha Lakshan |  |
20 December 2000 (aged 25) | Right handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2026 | Local Classic | |
| 27 | Pavan Sandesh | |
21 November 2003 (aged 22) | Right handed | Right-arm medium–fast | 2026 | Emerging U23 | |
| Wicket-keepers | ||||||||
| 21 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | |
28 November 2001 (aged 24) | Right handed | Right-arm medium | 2026 | Overseas Platinum | |
| 153 | Kusal Perera | |
17 August 1990 (aged 35) | Left handed | N/a | 2026 | Local Gold | |
| 32 | Lahiru Udara | |
27 November 1993 (aged 32) | Right handed | N/a | 2026 | Local Classic | |
| All-rounders | ||||||||
| 18 | Moeen Ali |  |
18 June 1987 (aged 39) | Left handed | Right-arm off break | 2026 | Overseas Icon | |
| Kavija Gamage | |
27 March 2007 (aged 19) | Right handed | Right-arm off break | 2026 | Local Classic | Replacement for Vishen | |
| 6 | Vishen Halambage | |
19 January 2005 (aged 21) | Right handed | Right-arm leg break | 2026 | Local Classic | |
| 49 | Wanindu Hasaranga | |
29 July 1997 (aged 28) | Right handed | Right-arm leg break | 2026 | Local Icon | Vice captain |
| 34 | Dushan Hemantha | |
24 May 1994 (aged 32) | Right handed | Right-arm leg break | 2026 | Local Gold | |
| 69 | Angelo Mathews | |
2 June 1987 (aged 39) | Right handed | Right-arm medium | 2026 | Local Star | Captain |
| Brandon McMullen |  |
18 October 1999 (aged 26) | Right handed | Right-arm medium | 2026 | Associate Star | ||
| 95 | Dale Phillips |  |
15 October 1998 (aged 27) | Right handed | Right-arm fast–medium | 2026 | Overseas Classic | |
| Daniel Sams |  |
27 October 1992 (aged 33) | Right handed | Left-arm fast–medium | 2026 | Overseas Gold | ||
| 59 | Vijay Shankar |  |
26 January 1991 (aged 35) | Right handed | Right-arm medium | 2026 | Overseas Star | |
| Isitha Wijesundara | |
11 May 1997 (aged 29) | Left handed | Right-arm medium–fast | 2026 | Local Classic | ||
| Spin bowlers | ||||||||
| 75 | Zahir Khan | |
20 December 1998 (aged 27) | Left handed | Left-arm wrist spin | 2026 | Overseas Classic | |
| Pace bowlers | ||||||||
| 10 | Shaheen Shah Afridi |  |
6 April 2000 (aged 26) | Left handed | Left-arm fast | 2026 | Overseas Gold | Replacement for Daniel |
| 78 | Asitha Fernando | |
31 July 1997 (aged 28) | Right handed | Right-arm medium–fast | 2026 | Local Gold | |
| N/A | Sahan Mihira | |
1 May 2004 (aged 22) | Right handed | Right-arm medium–fast | 2026 | Emerging U23 | |
| 92 | Garuka Sanketh | |
30 May 2005 (aged 21) | Left handed | Right-arm medium | 2026 | Local Gold | |
| 53 | Nuwan Thushara | |
6 August 1994 (aged 31) | Right handed | Right-arm medium–fast | 2026 | Local Platinum | |
Administration and support staff
[edit source]| Position | Name | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Upali Manukularatne | |
| Head coach | Chaminda Vaas | [6] |
| Assistant coach | Upul Chandana | |
| Bowling consultant | Dhammika Prasad |
League stage
[edit source]Fixtures
[edit source]Dambulla Sixers 205/6 (20 overs) |
v |
Kandy Royals 187/6 (20 overs) |
- Dambulla Sixers won the toss and elected to bat.
- Reeza Hendricks and Gulbadin Naib (Dambulla Sixers) recorded the highest partnership for the 7th wicket (94* runs) in the Lanka Premier League.
Kandy Royals 179 (20 overs) |
v |
Colombo Kaps 182/4 (19.4 overs) |
- Colombo Kaps won the toss and elected to field.
Kandy Royals 194/6 (20 overs) |
v |
Dambulla Sixers 151/8 (20 overs) |
- Dambulla Sixers won the toss and elected to field.
- Angelo Mathews (Kandy Royals) became the 5th player to score 1,000 runs in Lanka Premier League.
- Dushmantha Chameera (Dambulla Sixers) took his 200th wicket in T20s.
Colombo Kaps 192/9 (20 overs) |
v |
Kandy Royals 169/8 (20 overs) |
- Kandy Royals won the toss and elected to field.
Kandy Royals 165/6 (20 overs) |
v |
Galle Gallants 154/8 (20 overs) |
- Galle Gallants won the toss and elected to field.
Jaffna Kings 199/4 (20 overs) |
v |
Kandy Royals 106 (18.2 overs) |
- Jaffna Kings won the toss and elected to bat.
Galle Gallants 208/3 (20 overs) |
v |
Kandy Royals 214/4 (18.5 overs) |
- Galle Gallants won the toss and elected to bat.
- Lahiru Udara (Kandy Royals) scored his maiden century in T20s and scored the highest individual score in Lanka Premier League.
Jaffna Kings 221/6 (20 overs) |
v |
Kandy Royals 200 (20 overs) |
Pavan Sandesh 48 (21) Dunith Wellalage 3/11 (2 overs) |
- Kandy Royals won the toss and elected to field.
Play-offs
[edit source]Colombo Kaps 203/7 (20 overs) |
v |
Kandy Royals 135 (18.4 overs) |
Lahiru Udara 50 (36) Wanuja Sahan 2/8 (4 overs) |
- Colombo Kaps won the toss and elected to bat.
See also
[edit source]References
[edit source]- ↑ "US-based investor Sandhya Ajjarapu takes ownership of Kandy Royals". Daily FT. 22 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- ↑ "Days After Retirement, Ex-India All-Rounder Set To Play In Lanka Premier League". News18. 26 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- ↑ "Vijay Shankar joins Kandy Royals in Lanka Premier League after domestic retirement". Sportstar. 26 May 2026. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- ↑ "Kandy Royals sign Vijay Shankar for LPL 2026". The Island. 26 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ↑ "Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls out of LPL 2026". Newswire. 4 June 2026. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
- ↑ "LPL coaching line-up features Kandamby, Vaas and Herath". Daily News. 30 May 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.