Smart pickings by teams set to make LPL Season 6 lively and exciting

From left: Chief Guest, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, IPG Founder and CEO Anil Mohan, SLC Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne, and LPL Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela at the LPL Season 6 player draft

• Nissanka, Pathirana miss out with injuries
• Player draft sees 97 players picked, both local and foreign

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The player draft of Lanka Premier League (LPL) Season 6 that was held at Cinnamon Life yesterday saw some smart pickings by the five franchises, giving promise to an exciting and competitive tournament.

The draft, featuring multiple categories – Platinum, Gold, Classic, Emerging, and Associate Stars – saw a total of 97 players, both local and overseas, being picked by the respective franchises.

Dambulla Sixers were the only team to stick to the maximum of 18 players, while the other four used the option of adding a further one or two players to their squads, making it 19 or 20.

Missing from the draft were explosive opener Pathum Nissanka and fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana – both unavailable due to injuries. Pathirana pulled a hamstring muscle playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is under rehabilitation, while Nissanka, who is currently in the West Indies with the Sri Lanka team, is to undergo surgery in his hand soon after he returns.

Jaffna Kings, who will be defending the title, made the most interesting pick, retaining the most consistent run-getter in the LPL – Avishka Fernando. In addition to the four pre-signed players Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Shakeeb-al-Hasan, Dunith Wellalage and Taskin Ahmed, they also picked some exciting young talent in Kamil Mishara, Traveen Mathews, Mohammed Shiraz, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nishan Madushka, and Nuwanidu Fernando to go with the experience of overseas stars David Wiese and Ibrahim Zadran.

Galle Gallants, who finished runner-up to Jaffna in the last edition of the LPL held in 2024, have some interesting selections that could make them tough competitors. The four pre-signed players Dasun Shanaka, Rassie van der Dussen, Eshan Malinga, and Litton Das alone make them a formidable outfit. Add to that the talents of Charith Asalanka, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Sahan Arachchige, and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and overseas stars Mohammad Nawaz and Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Galle can count themselves as one of the favourites to lift the title.

Colombo Kaps have some strong Sri Lankan representation in addition to overseas stars like Jimmy Neesham, Ben McDermott, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Haris. Sri Lanka’s white-ball skipper Kusal Mendis leads the local field, which has Kamindu Mendis, Binura Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Milan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, and Jeffrey Vandersay, who can make use of local conditions to the maximum.

Dambulla Sixers have a fine blend of local and foreign players in their line-up. Dinesh Chandimal, Dushmantha Chameera, Reeza Hendricks, and Sahibzada Farhan are the four pre-signed stars. In addition, there is Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Pawan Rathnayake, Dhananjaya Lakshan, and Ramesh Mendis among the local players, and Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr., and Gulbadin Naib will add fire power from among the overseas players. The surprise selection is Niroshan Dickwella, who Dambulla see is still worthy enough to deliver.

Ridhima Pathak (left) and Russel Arnold hosting the LPL Season 6 player draft

Kandy Royals is loaded with all-rounders who could play a part in the shortest format. Veteran star Angelo Mathews, Wanindu Hasaranga, Moeen Ali, and Vijay Shankar form the four pre-signed players. In addition, they have national players like Kusal Perera, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Udara, and Dushan Hemantha. Their overseas pick is Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who is no stranger to the LPL, and all-rounders Daniel Sams and Brandon McMullen.

Malsha Tharupathi, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Wanuja Sahan, Garuka Sanketh, Vishen Halambage, Muditha Lakshan, Isitha Wijesundara, Dinura Kalupahana, Sachindu Colombage are some of the up and coming talent that have found their way into the franchises.

The sixth edition of the LPL will take place at four venues: SSC, Dambulla, Pallekele, and the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium from 17 July to 8 August. It was not played in 2025 due to some of the venues being unavailable as they were hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches.

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Also present were the members of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Transformation Committee, headed by its Chairman Eran Wickramaratne, LPL Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela, and SLC officials.