Kandy Royals vs Dambulla Sixers Result: Dambulla Sixers Win

Dambulla Sixers started their Lanka Premier League 2026 campaign with an impressive 18-run victory over Kandy Royals in the second match of the tournament. The match was played on 18 July 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

After winning the toss, Dambulla Sixers elected to bat first and posted a strong total of 205 for six in their 20 overs. Kandy Royals showed some resistance during the run chase but could only reach 187 for six, falling 18 runs short of the target.

Dambulla Sixers Playing XI

Sahibzada Farhan, Reeza Hendricks, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Pavan Rathnayake, Marques Ackerman, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Vishwa Lahiru, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana.

Impact Player: Gulbadin Naib replaced Sahibzada Farhan and later scored an unbeaten 46 and took two wickets.

Kandy Royals Playing XI

Dale Phillips, Lahiru Udara (wicketkeeper), Muditha Lakshan, Angelo Mathews (captain), Vijay Shankar, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Vishen Halambage, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Impact Player: Kusal Perera replaced Nuwan Thushara for the run chase.

Dambulla’s victory was built around an outstanding unbeaten innings from Reeza Hendricks, followed by an effective all-round performance from Gulbadin Naib.

Dambulla Sixers Post a Strong Total

Dambulla Sixers did not have a perfect start after choosing to bat first. Dinesh Chandimal was dismissed for eight, while Niroshan Dickwella scored seven. Sahibzada Farhan provided early momentum with a quick 23 from 13 deliveries, but Dambulla were still under pressure after losing regular wickets.

Reeza Hendricks then took control of the innings. The South African batter remained unbeaten on 87 from 50 balls, hitting 11 fours and two sixes. His composed innings helped Dambulla recover from 111 for six and build a competitive total.

Hendricks received excellent support from Gulbadin Naib during the final overs. Naib scored an unbeaten 46 from only 23 deliveries, including two fours and four sixes. Their late partnership pushed Dambulla Sixers to 205 for six at the end of 20 overs.

Kandy Royals Bowling Performance

Nuwan Thushara and Dushan Hemantha were the most successful bowlers for Kandy Royals.

Thushara took two wickets for 35 runs in four overs, while Hemantha produced an economical spell of two wickets for 26 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Asitha Fernando claimed one wicket each.

However, Kandy’s bowlers were unable to control the scoring rate during the closing overs. The partnership between Hendricks and Naib allowed Dambulla to add crucial runs and cross the 200-run mark.

Kandy Royals Struggle in the Run Chase

Chasing 206, Kandy Royals needed a strong start, but their top order came under pressure almost immediately.

Kusal Perera was dismissed for eight, while Vishen Halambage managed only two runs. Kandy were reduced to 22 for two during the early stages of the chase. Lahiru Udara and Dale Phillips then attempted to rebuild the innings. Udara played an attacking knock of 44 from 28 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. Phillips scored 52 from 39 deliveries and became Kandy’s highest scorer in the match.

Their partnership gave Kandy some hope, but Dambulla continued to take wickets at important moments. Angelo Mathews was dismissed for eight, while Wanindu Hasaranga contributed a quick 21 from ten balls. Vijay Shankar played a powerful late cameo. He kept Kandy Royals in the contest. He remained unbeaten on 41 from just 18 deliveries, hitting three fours and three sixes.

Despite Shankar’s aggressive finish, the required run rate had become too high. Kandy finished with 187 for six from their 20 overs, giving Dambulla Sixers an 18-run victory.

Dambulla Sixers Bowling Performance

Dambulla’s bowlers worked effectively as a unit and continued taking wickets whenever Kandy appeared to be building momentum.

Mohammad Wasim Jr took two wickets for 39 runs in four overs. Gulbadin Naib followed his impressive batting performance by taking two wickets for just 19 runs in two overs. Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera also claimed one wicket each. Their disciplined bowling prevented Kandy from developing a match-winning partnership during the middle and final overs.

Key Turning Point of the Match

The most important phase of the match came after Dambulla had slipped to 111 for six.

At that stage, Kandy Royals had an opportunity to restrict Dambulla to a total below 170. However, Reeza Hendricks and Gulbadin Naib changed the direction of the innings with an unbeaten late partnership. Their acceleration helped Dambulla reach 205, creating scoreboard pressure for Kandy. The Royals then lost two early wickets during the chase and were forced to play catch-up cricket for most of the innings.

Player of the Match: Reeza Hendricks

Reeza Hendricks was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 87 from 50 deliveries.

His innings was especially valuable because Dambulla continued losing wickets around him. Hendricks played with control during the middle overs before increasing the scoring rate toward the end of the innings.

His partnership with Gulbadin Naib gave Dambulla the strong finish they needed and provided their bowlers with a defendable total.

Match Result

Dambulla Sixers deserved their 18-run victory after delivering a more complete performance with both bat and ball.

Reeza Hendricks anchored the innings, Gulbadin Naib made an impact in both departments, and the Dambulla bowlers remained composed during Kandy’s chase.

Kandy Royals received useful contributions from Dale Phillips, Lahiru Udara and Vijay Shankar, but the team lost wickets at crucial moments. Their late acceleration was not enough to overcome the pressure created by Dambulla’s total of 205.