Colombo Kaps Full Squad for LPL 2026: Players and Staff

Colombo Kaps entered the Lanka Premier League 2026 with a balanced 20-player squad featuring 13 Sri Lankan players and seven overseas cricketers. The squad combines experienced international players, established local performers and emerging Sri Lankan talent.
Cricket fans can follow the complete tournament through ZeeSports’ Lanka Premier League 2026 coverage, which includes fixtures, team news, match previews and results.
Kusal Mendis was initially appointed captain, with Kamindu Mendis serving as vice-captain. However, Kusal was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after suffering a right hamstring injury against Kandy Royals. Kamindu Mendis was subsequently named captain of Colombo Kaps for the rest of the 2026 season, according to the official LPL captaincy announcement.
Colombo Kaps Squad Overview
| Team | Colombo Kaps |
| Total Players | 20 |
| Local Players | 13 |
| Overseas Players | 7 |
| Head Coach | Chamara Kapugedara |
Colombo Kaps Full Squad for LPL 2026
| Player | Role | Country |
| Kusal Mendis | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Sri Lanka |
| Kamindu Mendis | Captain / All-Rounder | Sri Lanka |
| Binura Fernando | Fast Bowler | Sri Lanka |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Sri Lanka |
| Milan Rathnayake | Fast Bowler | Sri Lanka |
| Janith Liyanage | Batting All-Rounder | Sri Lanka |
| Ravindu Fernando | All-Rounder | Sri Lanka |
| Thanuka Dabare | Batter | Sri Lanka |
| Movin Subasinghe | All-Rounder | Sri Lanka |
| Malsha Tharupathi | Bowling All-Rounder | Sri Lanka |
| Sharujan Shanmuganathan | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Sri Lanka |
| Wanuja Sahan | All-Rounder | Sri Lanka |
| Arul Pragasam | Bowler | Sri Lanka |
| James Neesham | All-Rounder | New Zealand |
| Ben McDermott | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Australia |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Spin Bowler | Afghanistan |
| Shahnawaz Dahani | Fast Bowler | Pakistan |
| Rubin Hermann | Batter | South Africa |
| Hasan Mahmud | Fast Bowler | Bangladesh |
| Kushal Bhurtel | Opening Batter | Nepal |
Kusal Mendis began the season as Colombo Kaps captain and first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. His ability to score quickly during the powerplay made him an important part of the team’s top order.
However, Kusal suffered a hamstring injury during Colombo’s match against Kandy Royals and was ruled out of the remainder of LPL 2026. Kamindu Mendis was appointed captain for the rest of the season.
Kamindu offers the team flexibility as a middle-order batter and all-rounder. His appointment also provides continuity because he had already been serving as vice-captain before Kusal’s injury.
Strong Batting Options
Colombo Kaps have several players capable of contributing at different stages of an innings.
Ben McDermott provides experience at the top of the order and has played in franchise competitions around the world. He can operate as an opener or wicketkeeper-batter, giving Colombo flexibility in team selection.
Kushal Bhurtel is another attacking top-order option. The Nepal batter is known for playing positively during the powerplay and can help Colombo establish early momentum.
Sadeera Samarawickrama brings experience to the middle order, while Janith Liyanage can rebuild the innings or increase the scoring rate when required. Rubin Hermann and Thanuka Dabare provide additional batting depth.
Sharujan Shanmuganathan is one of the younger wicketkeeping options in the squad and could receive opportunities as the tournament progresses.
Experienced All-Rounders
James Neesham is one of the most experienced overseas players in the Colombo Kaps squad. The New Zealand all-rounder can contribute with power-hitting in the lower middle order and provide useful overs with his medium pace.
Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage strengthen the local all-round department. Both players can contribute with the bat while offering the captain additional bowling options.
Movin Subasinghe, Wanuja Sahan, Ravindu Fernando and Malsha Tharupathi add further balance. Their presence gives Colombo several possible combinations depending on the pitch and opposition.
Colombo Kaps Bowling Attack
The bowling department includes a combination of pace, left-arm seam and mystery spin.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the leading specialist spinner in the squad. The Afghanistan international can bowl during the powerplay and middle overs, making him an important option against both right-handed and left-handed batters.
Binura Fernando provides a left-arm pace option and can create difficult angles with the new ball. Milan Rathnayake and Hasan Mahmud offer additional pace, while Shahnawaz Dahani can attack with speed and short-pitched bowling.
The variety within the bowling attack allows Colombo to adjust their combination according to the venue and playing conditions.
Emerging Sri Lankan Players
Colombo Kaps have also invested in young domestic players who could benefit from playing alongside experienced international cricketers.
Malsha Tharupathi is a bowling all-rounder who provides a spin option and useful lower-order batting. Sharujan Shanmuganathan is a promising wicketkeeper-batter, while Wanuja Sahan and Movin Subasinghe offer all-round depth.
Ravindu Fernando and Arul Pragasam provide further local options. Their inclusion gives the coaching staff an opportunity to rotate players and meet the tournament’s requirements for young Sri Lankan talent.
Former Sri Lankan batter Chamara Kapugedara is serving as Colombo Kaps head coach. His knowledge of Sri Lankan conditions and experience in limited-overs cricket can help the team manage different match situations.
Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara is the bowling coach. He will work with the team’s seamers, including Binura Fernando, Hasan Mahmud, Milan Rathnayake and Shahnawaz Dahani.
Vimukthi Deshapriya is responsible for the fielding department, while Charinda Fernando serves as team manager.
Areas Colombo Kaps Must Manage
Kusal Mendis’ injury is a significant setback because he was expected to play an important role as captain, wicketkeeper and top-order batter.
The team must now establish a settled opening combination and ensure that the middle order performs consistently. Colombo will also need to decide how to use their overseas-player slots, as McDermott, Neesham, Mujeeb, Dahani, Hasan Mahmud, Rubin Hermann and Kushal Bhurtel offer different strengths.
Kamindu Mendis’ leadership and the performance of Colombo’s local players could be crucial during the remainder of the tournament.
Can Colombo Kaps Win LPL 2026?
Colombo Kaps have enough batting depth, all-round ability and bowling variety to challenge the strongest teams in the competition. Their chances will depend on how quickly the team adapts to the captaincy change and whether the top order can provide consistent starts.
Fans can track Colombo’s upcoming games through the official LPL fixtures and follow the latest LPL live scores on ZeeSports.
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