Vijay Shankar, Jimmy Neesham and Ben McDermott add firepower to LPL 2026

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA: The five franchises of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) have unveiled their pre-signed players ahead of the sixth edition of the tournament, set to be played from 17 July to 18 August across Colombo, Pallekele and Dambulla.

The teams will complete the remainder of their squads during the official Player Draft scheduled for 1 June in Colombo.

Among the headline signings, Dambulla Sixers have secured one of the breakout stars of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Sahibzada Farhan. The explosive Pakistan batter enjoyed a sensational tournament, smashing a record 383 runs in seven matches including two centuries and two fifties. He will be joined by experienced South African opener Reeza Hendricks alongside Sri Lankan stars Dinesh Chandimal and Dushmantha Chameera, giving the Sixers a formidable core.

Four-time champions Jaffna Kings have strengthened their squad with Bangladesh superstar Shakib Al Hasan and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, while Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dunith Wellalage continue to provide strong local firepower.

Kandy Royals, champions of the 2023 edition, have assembled one of the most balanced line-ups with Wanindu Hasaranga, Moeen Ali and Angelo Mathews. Adding further depth is Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar, whose signing is expected to create significant excitement among fans. A technically sound batter with the ability to contribute crucial overs, Vijay Shankar brings valuable international and IPL experience to the Royals setup. His calm presence, versatility and big-match exposure make him one of the most notable additions for the upcoming season.

Colombo Kaps have also made a major statement in the pre-signing window by bringing in New Zealand star Jimmy Neesham and Australian power-hitter Ben McDermott to partner Sri Lankan batting stars Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. Neesham’s reputation as a proven global T20 match-winner and McDermott’s explosive batting ability add tremendous strength and firepower to the Colombo franchise.

Meanwhile, Galle Gallants will feature Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, rising pacer Eshan Malinga and experienced South African batter Rassie van der Dussen as part of their pre-signed group for the season ahead.

Complete list of pre-signed players:

Colombo Kaps: ---- Local Icon: Kusal Mendis

Local Star: Kamindu Mendis; Overseas Icon: Jimmy Neesham; Ovreseas Star: Ben McDermott;

Dambulla Sixers: ----Local Icon: Dushmantha Chameera; Local Star: Dinesh Chandimal; Overseas Icon: Sahibzada Farhan; Ovreseas Star: Reeza Hendricks;

Galle Gallants

Local Icon: Dasun Shanaka; Local Star: Eshan Malinga; Overseas Icon: Rassie Ve Der Dussen; Ovreseas Star

Jaffna Kings

Local Icon: Bhanuka Rajapaksa; Local Star: Dunith Wellalage; Overseas Icon: Shakib Al Hasan; Ovreseas Star: Taskin Ahmed;

Kandy Royals

Local Icon: Wanindu Hasaranga; Local Star: Angelo Mathews; Overseas Icon: Moeen Ali; Ovreseas Star: Vijay Shankar.

The sixth edition of the LPL will be held from 17 July to 8 August 2026 across four venues in Sri Lanka. The tournament will feature 20 league-stage matches, followed by the Qualifiers, Eliminator, and Final, staged across Colombo, Pallekele, and Dambulla.

About Lanka Premier League and IPG Group

Lanka Premier League (LPL) is the flagship franchise cricket tournament of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The tournament started in 2020 and so far it has seen five seasons with the sixth set to take place in July and August. The tournament is watched worldwide and has also become a breeding ground for exciting Sri Lankan talent.

The Innovative Production Group (IPG) served as the Official Rights Holder of the Lanka Premier League, managing a comprehensive portfolio of commercial and operational rights. These included Franchise Rights, Global Media Rights, On-Ground Sponsorship Rights, and full-scale Event Production Rights.

Backed by more than five decades of collective industry expertise, IPG Group has consistently driven innovation in the sports business landscape, redefining how sporting events are produced, marketed and experienced worldwide. Through its strategic vision and commitment to excellence, the group has established itself as a significant and influential force within the global sports industry.