// Workers AI · dad joke modeAre Kandy Royals sweet? Yes, they're a real treat.
(Redirected from Kandy Tuskers)
| League | Lanka Premier League | |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel | ||
| Captain | Angelo Mathews | |
| Coach | Chaminda Vaas[1] | |
| Team information | ||
| City | Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka | |
| Colors | Purple Red | |
| Founded | 2020: Kandy Tuskers 2021: Kandy Warriors 2022 & 2024: Kandy Falcons 2023: B-Love Kandy 2026: Kandy Royals | |
| Home ground | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy | |
| Capacity | 35,000 | |
| History | ||
| LPL wins | 1 | |
| ||
Kandy Royals, formerly known as Kandy Falcons (in 2022 and 2024), B-Love Kandy (2023), Kandy Warriors (2021), and Kandy Tuskers (2020), is a Sri Lankan franchise professional Twenty20 cricket team founded in 2020 that competes in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), representing the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Franchise History
[edit]2020 season
[edit]Chris Gayle signed up as the Marquee Overseas player and Kusal Perera as the Local Icon player for the inaugural edition of Lanka Premier League. [2][3]
2021 season
[edit]In October 2021, the team changed their name to Kandy Warriors after changing owners.[4]
2022 season
[edit]The team underwent three ownership and name changes in as many years. They further changed their name to Kandy Falcons in 2022.[5] The team signed Wanindu Hasaranga as part of the pre-draft signing.[6] Four West Indian players, Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen, Oshane Thomas and Andre Fletcher were drafted in for the franchise later.[7]
2023 season
[edit]In 2023, prior to the LPL auction, the franchise was bought by the B-Love network led by Omar Khan.[8] With the new ownership, the name of the Kandy franchise was changed to B-Love Kandy. In that season, the Kandy franchise won its maiden Lanka Premier League title.[9]
2024 season
[edit]Sri Lanka Cricket severed the contract with B-Love Kandy in May 2024 citing breaches of contractual obligations. Management of the team passed on to the tournament organisers, the IPG Group. The franchisee B-Love Network is a Dubai-based cryptocurrency business.[10] However, B-Love Kandy participated in the player auction two days later.[11]
2026 season
[edit]In May 2026, the franchise was bought by Sandhya Ajjarapu, a US-based investor and entrepreneur, and the franchise rebranded as Kandy Royals under new ownership.[12] Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Vijay Shankar and Wanindu Hasaranga were signed as pre-draft signings.
Current squad
[edit]- Sources: ESPNcricinfo,[13] ThePapare.com[14]
- Players with international caps are listed in bold.
- denotes a player who was unavailable for rest of the season.
| No. | Name | Nationality | Date of birth (age) | Batting style | Bowling style | Year signed | Salary (US$) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batters | ||||||||
| 7 | Hassan Nawaz |  Pakistan |
21 August 2002 | Right handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 20,000 | Replacement for Sediqullah Atal |
| 23 | Muditha Lakshan |  Sri Lanka |
20 December 2000 | Right handed | Slow left arm Orthodox | 2026 | 20,000 | |
| 95 | Dale Phillips |  New Zealand |
15 October 1998 | Right handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 20,000 | |
| 27 | Pawan de Silva | Sri Lanka |
21 November 2003 | Right handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 10,000 | |
| Wicket-keepers | ||||||||
| 32 | Lahiru Udara | Sri Lanka |
27 November 1993 | Right handed | N/a | 2026 | 20,000 | |
| 153 | Kusal Perera | Sri Lanka |
7 August 1990 | Left handed | N/a | 2026 | 30,000 | |
| All-rounders | ||||||||
| 72 | Khushdil Shah | Pakistan |
7 February 1995 | Left-handed | Slow left-arm Orthodox | 2026 | 15,000 | Replacement for Brandon McMullen |
| 49 | Wanindu Hasaranga | Sri Lanka |
29 July 1997 | Right handed | Right-arm leg break | 2026 | 80,000 | Vice Captain |
| 69 | Angelo Mathews | Sri Lanka |
2 June 1987 | Right handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 60,000 | Captain |
| 5 | Kavija Gamage | Sri Lanka |
27 March 2007 | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | 2026 | 20,000 | Replacement for Vishen Halambage |
| 59 | Vijay Shankar |  India |
26 January 1991 | Right handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 60,000 | |
| 34 | Dushan Hemantha | Sri Lanka |
24 May 1994 | Right handed | Right arm Leg break | 2026 | 30,000 | |
| Spin bowlers | ||||||||
| 75 | Zahir Khan |  Afghanistan |
20 December 1998 | Left handed | Left-arm unorthodox spin | 2026 | 20,000 | |
| Pace bowlers | ||||||||
| 10 | Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan |
6 April 2000 | Left-handed | Left arm fast | 2026 | 30,000 | |
| 78 | Asitha Fernando | Sri Lanka |
31 July 1997 | Right handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 30,000 | |
| 39 | Isitha Wijesundara | Sri Lanka |
11 May 1997 | Left handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 20,000 | |
| 22 | Sahan Mihira | Sri Lanka |
1 May 2004 | Right handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 10,000 | |
| 92 | Garuka Sanketh | Sri Lanka |
30 May 2005 | Left handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 30,000 | |
| 53 | Nuwan Thushara | Sri Lanka |
6 August 1994 | Right handed | Right-arm medium-fast | 2026 | 50,000 | |
Seasons
[edit]| Year | League table standing | Final standing |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5th out of 5 | League stage |
| 2021 | 5th out of 5 | League stage |
| 2022 | 1st out of 5 | Playoffs |
| 2023 | 3rd out of 5 | Champions |
| 2024 | 4th out of 5 | Playoffs |
| 2026 | 4th out of 5 | Playoffs |
Statistics
[edit]By season
[edit]| Year | Matches | Wins | Losses | No result | Win% | Position | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 33.33 | 5/5 | League Stage |
| 2021 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 33.33 | 5/5 | League Stage |
| 2022 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 70.00 | 1/5 | Playoffs |
| 2023 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 63.63 | 3/5 | Champions |
| 2024 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40.00 | 4/5 | Playoffs |
| 2026 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 33.33 | 4/5 | Playoffs |
| Total | 56 | 25 | 31 | 0 | 44.64 |
Most runs
[edit]- As of 06 August 2026
| Runs | Player | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 685 | Kamindu Mendis | 2020–2024 |
| 587 | Andre Fletcher  | 2022-2024 |
| 445 | Angelo Mathews | 2023-2026 |
| 434 | Lahiru Udara | 2026 |
| 368 | Wanindu Hasaranga | 2022-2026 |
| 295 | Kusal Perera | 2020–2026 |
| 287 | Dinesh Chandimal | 2023-2024 |
| 263 | Kusal Mendis | 2020 |
| 244 | Ashen Bandara | 2022 |
| 229 | Pathum Nissanka | 2022 |
Highest individual score
[edit]- As of 6 August 2026
| Runs | Player | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 132* | Lahiru Udara | Galle Gallants | Pallekele | 29 July 2026 |
| 102* | Andre Fletcher | Colombo Stars | Hambantota | 6 December 2022 |
| 89 | Dinesh Chandimal | Jaffna Kings | Dambulla | 9 July 2024 |
| 87 | Kusal Perera | Colombo Kings | Hambantota | 26 November 2020 |
| 77* | Wanindu Hasaranga | Colombo Stars | Colombo | 27 December 2022 |
- Source: ESPNcricinfo[17]
Most career wickets
[edit]- As of 06 August 2026
| Wickets. | Player | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Wanindu Hasaranga | 2022-2026 |
| 18 | Carlos Brathwaite | 2022 |
| 14 | Nuwan Thushara | 2026 |
| 13 | Dasun Shanaka | 2024 |
| 10 | Nimesh Vimukthi | 2021 |
| 10 | Fabian Allen | 2022 |
| 09 | Asela Gunaratne | 2020–2021 |
| 09 | Shaheen Afridi | 2026 |
| 08 | Isuru Udana | 2022 |
| 08 | Kamindu Mendis | 2020–2024 |
Best figures in an innings
[edit]- As of 06 August 2026
| Figures | Player | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/11 | Chamika Karunaratne | Colombo Stars | Colombo | 17 December 2022 |
| 4/14 | Wanindu Hasaranga | Hambantota | 6 December 2022 | |
| 4/14 | Carlos Brathwaite | Galle Gladiators | 7 December 2022 | |
| 4/18 | Jaffna Kings | Pallekele | 14 December 2022 | |
| 4/29 | Nuwan Thushara | Dambulla Sixers | Dambulla | 21 July 2026 |
Captains
[edit]| No. | Player | From | To | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kusal Perera |
2020 | 2020 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 31.25 |
| 2 | Angelo Perera |
2021 | 2021 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| 3 | Wanindu Hasaranga |
2022 | 2026 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 65.00 |
| 4 | Angelo Mathews |
2023 | 2026 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 44.44 |
Source: ESPNcricinfo, Last updated: 05 August 2026
Administration and support staff
[edit]Coaching history
[edit]| Season | Head coach | Assistant coach |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Hashan Tillakaratne |
|
| 2021 | Lalchand Rajput |
Ruvin Peiris |
| 2022 | Piyal Wijetunge |
Tharanga Dhammika |
| 2023 | Mushtaq Ahmed |
Piyal Wijetunge |
| 2024 | ||
| 2026 | Chaminda Vaas |
Upul Chandana |
Team identity
[edit] |
Anthem
[edit]| Year | Anthem | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Isuru Withanage, Shanthi Sri, Gayana Lewke, Chan Chan | |
| 2023 | Isuru Withanage, Ishari Munasingha, Chan Chan, Jay DC | |
| 2024 | Isuru Withanage, Chan Chan, Shanthi Sri |
Kit manufacturers and sponsors
[edit]| Year | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor (front) | Shirt sponsor (back) | Chest branding | Sleeve branding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | JAT Paints | — | WHITE by JAT | ||
| 2021 | FairPlay News | Safexpay | N/a | Vernost Marketing, Vivandi | |
| 2022 | Speed Sports | MazaPlay | N/a | ||
| 2023 | BFICoin | Super11 | Time2Travel, Bulleto | ||
| 2024 | SPD Clothing | N/a | |||
| 2026 | Kelun Lifesciences | RR Cleanroom Projects | Celogen | Rover Motorcycles Sri Lanka | |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Kandy Falcons". mykhel.com. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ↑ Report, K. T. "LPL will boost interest and offer opportunities for youngsters, feel Jaffna team owners". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ Scroll staff (19 October 2020). "Cricket: Gayle, du Plessis, Afridi among marquee names picked in Lanka Premier League draft". scroll.in. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
- ↑ "Lanka Premier League's Kandy Franchise Get New Owners". News18. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ↑ "LPL 2022 Draft LIVE: Squads FINAL! Baby AB Dewald Brevis to make LPL debut with Kandy Falcons: Check LPL 2022 Full Squads". Inside Sports. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ↑ Balasuriya, Madushka (2 July 2022). "LPL 2022 draft: Kandy Falcons sign Hasaranga; Rajapaksa to turn out for Dambulla Giants". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ↑ "Jimmy Neesham, Carlos Brathwaite headline overseas names for LPL". Daily Mirror. Wijeya Newspapers. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ↑ "LPL : New Kandy franchise owners announced". Newswire. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ↑ "B-Love Kandy wins LPL 2023". Ada Derana. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ↑ "SLC 'unloves' Kandy franchise owners ahead of LPL 5". The Sunday Times. 19 May 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ↑ "SLC 'B-Loves' Kandy after 'Unloving' them". Newswire. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ↑ "U.S.-based investor Sandhya Ajjarapu takes ownership of Kandy Royals". ThePapare. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ "Pathirana, Udana, Janat the most expensive picks in LPL 2024 auction". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ↑ "LPL 2024 Auction: Full Squads of all 5 Teams". ThePapare. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ↑ "Lanka Premier League Cricket Team and Records | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Most career runs". Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ↑ "Highest individual score". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ↑ "Most career wickets". Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ↑ "Best bowling figures in an innings". Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
External links
[edit]| Seasons | |
|---|---|
| Player Drafts/Auctions |
|
| Finals | |
| Teams | |
| Venues | |
| Lists | |
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