The Lanka Premier League (LPL) is gearing up for its sixth season from July 17 to August 8, 2026, bringing a massive tactical shift that cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar heavily opposes. Following the official player draft held in Colombo on June 1st, the squads for all 5 participating franchises have been locked in.

A total of 97 players have been selected across the teams—but only one Indian cricketer will be featured in the tournament.

The "Tendulkar Controversy" Lands in Sri Lanka

The biggest talking point ahead of the upcoming season is the introduction of the controversial Impact Player Rule, marking its debut in the LPL.

Sachin Tendulkar has been a vocal critic of this rule in the IPL, arguing that it creates an unfair disadvantage for bowlers in an already batsman-dominated T20 format. Tendulkar believes that allowing an extra batsman disrupts the natural balance of the game. Despite his public outcry, LPL officials have chosen to implement the rule for the 2026 season.

The Lone Indian Representative

Out of the 97 players finalized for the tournament, all-rounder Vijay Shankar is the sole Indian cricketer who will be playing in LPL 2026. Shankar was picked up by the Kandy Royals.

Extreme Makeover: New Names and New Owners

Ahead of the sixth edition, the league underwent a massive structural reset. Four out of the five franchises are entering the tournament with entirely new ownership groups, fresh support staff, and rebranded names:

• Jaffna Kings $\rightarrow$ SC Jaffna Kings (Defending Champions)

• Colombo $\rightarrow$ Colombo Caps

• Kandy $\rightarrow$ Kandy Royals

• Galle $\rightarrow$ Galle Gallants

• Dambulla Sixers (Retained their existing identity)

Final Squad Breakdowns

Per tournament regulations, teams were required to draft a minimum of 18 players. While Colombo, Kandy, and Galle opted for full 20-man rosters, the defending champions SC Jaffna Kings settled on 19 players, and the Dambulla Sixers locked in an 18-man squad.

Here are the official team rosters: