With the season of T20 Leagues, the Lanka Premier League (LPL) gets under way on July 17, Friday with Galle Gallants and Jaffna Kings facing one another at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. Jaffna Kings are the most successful franchise, winning four titles in as many seasons and will want to start with the same reputation. The defending champions also have a variety of players needed to not only start the season with the bang but to also win the title.
Kings will be led by the dynamic and free-flowing stroke maker in Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Along with Rajapaksa, likes of Avishka Fernando, Ibrahim Zadran and Dipendra Singh make for a strong batting unit. Shakib Al Hasan could be unavailable for the first game, given the Bangladesh veteran will be yet to link up with the squad. As far as their bowling unit goes, Dunith Wellalage, the vice-captain, leads a penetrative spin-bowling unit, while the trio of Taskin Ahmed, Lizaad Williams and Dilshan Madushanka are very handy pace bowlers.
Meanwhile, the Gallants have a captain of international pedigree in Dasun Shanaka, with the likes of Litton Das, Charith Asalanka, Sam Harper and Rassie van der Dussen making up for a crafty batting unit. The likes of Akif Javed, Pramod Madushan, Kasun Rajitha and Eshan Malinga have the potential to trouble the opposition batting unit. Nevertheless, there might be doubts over Mohammad Nawaz’s inclusion.
Jaffna Kings vs Galle Gallants, Lanka Premier League 2026, Key players
3) Avishka Fernando – Jaffna Kings
Given Avishka Fernando’s recent form, he is likely to bat at the top order and the defending champions will depend on him to give them good starts. He was the highest run-getter during the tri-series involving India A and Afghanistan A, clattering 288 runs in five innings at 72, including two centuries.
2) Dunith Wellalage – Jaffna Kings
While Dunith Wellalage has a lot to improve as far as his away record is concerned, the youngster is quite incisive at home. The left-arm spinner can take wickets at will in the middle overs and is economical. Additionally, Wellalage can also dish out the big hits at the death.
1) Dasun Shanaka – Galle Gallants
Galle Gallants will massively look up to their captain Dasun Shanaka for inspiration across facets. His ability to play game-changing knocks and take wickets with his dibbly-dobbly bowling will be handy in the Sri Lankan conditions.
Jaffna Kings vs Galle Gallants, Lanka Premier League 2026, Head to Head
Played – 5
Jaffna Kings – 2
Galle Gallants – 3
Where to watch Jaffna Kings vs Galle Gallants Lanka Premier League 2026 in India?
Fans in India can catch the action on TV on Star Sports, while the live streaming of the same will be available on FanCode.
Where to watch Jaffna Kings vs Galle Gallants Lanka Premier League 2026 in Sri Lanka?
Fans in Sri Lanka can watch the LPL 2026 opener on PEO TV. Live streaming of the tournament will be available on PEO Mobile.
