LPL 2026: Jaffna and Galle Battle for First Final Berth, Colombo Start as Favourites Against Kandy

The road to the Lanka Premier League (LPL) title is now entering its most decisive phase. After weeks of high-intensity cricket and a fiercely contested league stage, the sixth edition of the tournament has reached the knockout rounds.

The spotlight on Wednesday falls on Qualifier 1, where Jaffna Kings and Galle Gallants will battle for the first place in the final. The winners will secure direct passage to the title clash, while the losers will have one more opportunity, taking on the winner of the Eliminator, which will be played later the same evening.

Both matches will be staged at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, which makes its tournament debut after the opening phase was played at the SSC.

The biggest unknown heading into the double-header is the pitch. Unlike the venues used during the league stage, the Premadasa surface remains an unexplored factor this season. Fast bowlers have dominated throughout the tournament so far, but whether that trend continues in Colombo remains to be seen.

While Jaffna have enjoyed another impressive campaign, losing only twice during the league stage, both defeats came at the hands of Galle. That gives the Gallants a psychological edge as they look to complete a hat-trick of victories over the defending champions.

There is every chance of that happening, as Galle have all bases covered. Sam Harper, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Sahan Arachchige and captain Dasun Shanaka have all been in outstanding form with the bat. At the top of the order, Harper will be hoping his new opening partner, Thomas Rogers, also comes good after the Australian failed to fire in his first game. Galle also have the option of Nurul Hasan, who can open the batting, but they are likely to persist with Harper and Rogers.

In contrast, Jaffna rely heavily on their in-form opening pair of Avishka Fernando and Kamil Mishara. Captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa is enduring a lean run with the bat, while Khawaja Nafay is yet to make an impact since being signed as a replacement player. The middle order looks a little unsettled, placing greater responsibility on the explosive lower middle order comprising Shakib Al Hasan, Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Dunith Wellalage.

Spin is Jaffna’s biggest strength. In the afternoon fixture, they possess both the variety and quality in their spin attack to outclass Galle’s batters.

How Galle’s batters handle Jaffna’s spin threat could well determine the outcome of the match.

Moving to the Eliminator, Colombo Kaps will start as favourites against a depleted Kandy Royals side.

Despite losing captain Kusal Mendis at the start of the tournament, Colombo have performed admirably under Kamindu Mendis’ leadership. Their only major concern this season has been Binura Fernando’s injury. In his absence, Milan Rathnayake and Shahnawaz Dahani have spearheaded the pace attack, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman has led the spin department. Utility players such as Kamindu, James Neesham, Wanuja Sahan and Janith Liyanage provide excellent balance to the side.

With most of their key overseas players unavailable, Kandy have had to make do with limited resources. Vijay Shankar, Dale Phillips and Zahir Khan are their only overseas options, while captain Angelo Mathews is also managing an injury. If Kandy are to spring a surprise, they will once again need significant contributions from Lahiru Udara, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, and Pawan Sandesh. More experienced players such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Asitha Fernando and Nuwan Thushara will also have to produce exceptional performances.

Kandy’s best chance of winning will be to bowl Colombo out for a modest total and chase it down. They have the bowling attack to make that happen, but their batting lacks the firepower to successfully chase a big score.

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