1
W
1
6
0
1
= 9
Match Details
DS vs KR, 2nd T20, LPL 2026 summary
KR
187-6(20.0)
Dambulla Sixers won by 18 runs 🏆
DS
(20.0)205-6
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P'ship : 31(16)
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So, who walks away smiling? The Dambulla Sixers, and deservedly so. Hendricks' masterclass with the bat, Naib's explosive finish, and disciplined contributions from Wasim (2 wickets), Naib (2 wickets), Chameera, and Theekshana ensured they defended 205 successfully. The Royals showed plenty of character through Udara, Phillips and Vijay Shankar, but chasing above ten an over for most of the evening eventually proved a step too far. A thrilling contest. Plenty of momentum swings. Plenty of entertainment. That's the Lanka Premier League at its finest.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Anirudh Modi, Manan Mehta, and scorer Yogesh Kumar. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But there is one more match scheduled in LPL in today's doubleheader. So, switch tabs and follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Anirudh Modi, Manan Mehta, and scorer Yogesh Kumar. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But there is one more match scheduled in LPL in today's doubleheader. So, switch tabs and follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!
Dinesh Chandimal (Dambulla Sixers Captain): "[On their batting innings] I mean when we started, we did not bat well. However, our run rate was up there but we lost 3-4 early wickets. Credit goes to Reeza and Gulbadin. They were tremendous in the last stage of our innings and yeah, the credit goes to them.
[Was the decision of batting first inspired by yesterday's game?] Yeah of course. When we are playing at SSC, we all know that we are getting good pitches. You need a minimum of 180 so that was our target. Though we started losing wickets. So, as I said, credit goes to those two. They were outstanding."
[Was the decision of batting first inspired by yesterday's game?] Yeah of course. When we are playing at SSC, we all know that we are getting good pitches. You need a minimum of 180 so that was our target. Though we started losing wickets. So, as I said, credit goes to those two. They were outstanding."
Player of the Match: Reeza Hendricks
Angelo Matthews (Kandy Royals' Captain): (The Target) Congratulations to Dambulla for outplaying us with the bat. They got off to a good start, but we pulled it back well in the middle phase, and we made a few mistakes towards the end. Good effort from everyone.
(Learnings) It's the start of the tournament, and it's about execution. I have confidence in the boys that they will turn up better in the next game."
(Learnings) It's the start of the tournament, and it's about execution. I have confidence in the boys that they will turn up better in the next game."
Time for the post-match presentation ceremony..
6:39 PM IST, LOCAL TIME: Cricket rarely follows a straight road... sometimes the biggest risks produce the brightest rewards. That was the story in Colombo. Dambulla Sixers flirted with disaster after racing and collapsing in equal measure, only to recover brilliantly and post 205/6. Kandy Royals fought back with heart and some explosive batting of their own, but every time they threatened to turn the tide, another wicket arrived. Was 206 always a bridge too far? Perhaps. Yet the Royals made the Sixers earn every single run of their 18-run victory to kick off their campaign in style.
Let's rewind a bit...
Dambulla's innings began at full throttle, but not without casualties. Captain Dinesh Chandimal launched a six before Shaheen Afridi removed him for 8, while Nuwan Thushara struck twice to dismiss Niroshan Dickwella (7) and the dangerous Sahibzada Farhan (23 off 13). Despite losing three wickets inside the Powerplay, the Sixers refused to retreat. Instead, they attacked even harder, reaching 50 in just 4.4 overs before ending the first six overs at a breathtaking 68/3. High risk. High reward. Kandy... had wickets. Dambulla had the run rate.
Could the Royals tighten the screws from there? They certainly did. The first strategic timeout arrived with Dambulla at 78/4 after 7.3 overs, after Pavan Rathnayake departed for 7, leaving Reeza Hendricks fighting almost a lone battle on 32 off 18. Dambulla reached 100 in exactly 11 overs, but wickets continued to tumble. Marques Ackerman (16) lost a review on umpire's call before Dushan Hemantha removed Dhananjaya Lakshan (6) to leave the Sixers wobbling at 111/6 after 12.5 overs. The Royals had dragged themselves firmly back into the contest, with Hemantha (2/26) and Thushara (2/35) leading an impressive bowling effort.
Who rescued the innings? Reeza Hendricks and Gulbadin Naib. The South African anchor produced a magnificent knock, bringing up his fifty off just 33 balls before accelerating beautifully through the closing stages. Naib, who came as an impact player, played the perfect aggressor, and together they stitched an unbeaten 94-run partnership from only 44 deliveries for the seventh wicket. Dambulla collected 24 runs during the Power Blast (15th-17th overs), crossed 150 in 16.5 overs, and then exploded for 25 runs in the final over. Hendricks remained unbeaten on a classy 87 off 50 balls, while Naib blasted 46 off just 23, lifting the Sixers from 111/6 to a formidable 205/6. It was one rescue mission. One finish. One statement.
Now... The Chase!!
The chase demanded urgency, but Dambulla ensured the Royals were immediately under pressure. Dushmantha Chameera removed Kusal Perera (8) in the second over before Mohammad Wasim dismissed Vishen Halambage (2) to leave Kandy reeling at 22/2. Could they recover? Lahiru Udara certainly believed so. His fearless strokeplay reignited the innings as he and Dale Phillips counter-attacked smartly. The Royals reached 49/2 after the Powerplay, crossed 50 in 6.1 overs, and entered the first timeout on 60/2 after seven overs, still requiring 146 from 78 balls but with genuine hope alive.
That hope grew stronger as Udara and Phillips settled beautifully. Their 52-run third-wicket partnership steadied the chase, while Udara raced to 44 off 28 balls, peppering the ropes with five fours and two sixes. Kandy reached 100 in 12.3 overs, but the Sixers sensed that one breakthrough could change everything. Enter Gulbadin Naib with the ball. He removed Udara before trapping Angelo Mathews (8), while Maheesh Theekshana accounted for the dangerous Wanindu Hasaranga (21 off 10). At the second strategic timeout, the Royals were 105/4 after 13 overs, needing 101 from the final seven, with momentum slowly swinging back towards Dambulla.
Did the Royals make one final charge? Absolutely. The Power Blast produced 29 runs in the 16th and 17th overs, keeping the equation alive. Dale Phillips completed a fighting fifty off 36 balls, while Vijay Shankar enjoyed a huge slice of fortune after surviving an incredibly tight stumping review that even raised questions about a possible outside edge. But the breakthrough finally came when Mohammad Wasim dismissed Phillips for 52, ending the Royals' best hope. Vijay Shankar then entertained with a blistering 41 off just 18 balls, yet the asking rate had climbed beyond reach. Dambulla's bowlers held their nerve superbly through the final overs, restricting the Royals to 187/6 despite the late fireworks.
What ultimately decided the contest? Partnerships... and pressure. Dambulla's match-winning 94-run unbroken stand between Hendricks and Naib completely transformed the innings after they had slipped to 111/6. Kandy, meanwhile, managed useful stands but never one substantial enough after losing early wickets. Every promising partnership met a timely breakthrough. Every counterattack found a response. That is championship T20 cricket. Absorb. Respond. Finish stronger.
Let's rewind a bit...
Dambulla's innings began at full throttle, but not without casualties. Captain Dinesh Chandimal launched a six before Shaheen Afridi removed him for 8, while Nuwan Thushara struck twice to dismiss Niroshan Dickwella (7) and the dangerous Sahibzada Farhan (23 off 13). Despite losing three wickets inside the Powerplay, the Sixers refused to retreat. Instead, they attacked even harder, reaching 50 in just 4.4 overs before ending the first six overs at a breathtaking 68/3. High risk. High reward. Kandy... had wickets. Dambulla had the run rate.
Could the Royals tighten the screws from there? They certainly did. The first strategic timeout arrived with Dambulla at 78/4 after 7.3 overs, after Pavan Rathnayake departed for 7, leaving Reeza Hendricks fighting almost a lone battle on 32 off 18. Dambulla reached 100 in exactly 11 overs, but wickets continued to tumble. Marques Ackerman (16) lost a review on umpire's call before Dushan Hemantha removed Dhananjaya Lakshan (6) to leave the Sixers wobbling at 111/6 after 12.5 overs. The Royals had dragged themselves firmly back into the contest, with Hemantha (2/26) and Thushara (2/35) leading an impressive bowling effort.
Who rescued the innings? Reeza Hendricks and Gulbadin Naib. The South African anchor produced a magnificent knock, bringing up his fifty off just 33 balls before accelerating beautifully through the closing stages. Naib, who came as an impact player, played the perfect aggressor, and together they stitched an unbeaten 94-run partnership from only 44 deliveries for the seventh wicket. Dambulla collected 24 runs during the Power Blast (15th-17th overs), crossed 150 in 16.5 overs, and then exploded for 25 runs in the final over. Hendricks remained unbeaten on a classy 87 off 50 balls, while Naib blasted 46 off just 23, lifting the Sixers from 111/6 to a formidable 205/6. It was one rescue mission. One finish. One statement.
Now... The Chase!!
The chase demanded urgency, but Dambulla ensured the Royals were immediately under pressure. Dushmantha Chameera removed Kusal Perera (8) in the second over before Mohammad Wasim dismissed Vishen Halambage (2) to leave Kandy reeling at 22/2. Could they recover? Lahiru Udara certainly believed so. His fearless strokeplay reignited the innings as he and Dale Phillips counter-attacked smartly. The Royals reached 49/2 after the Powerplay, crossed 50 in 6.1 overs, and entered the first timeout on 60/2 after seven overs, still requiring 146 from 78 balls but with genuine hope alive.
That hope grew stronger as Udara and Phillips settled beautifully. Their 52-run third-wicket partnership steadied the chase, while Udara raced to 44 off 28 balls, peppering the ropes with five fours and two sixes. Kandy reached 100 in 12.3 overs, but the Sixers sensed that one breakthrough could change everything. Enter Gulbadin Naib with the ball. He removed Udara before trapping Angelo Mathews (8), while Maheesh Theekshana accounted for the dangerous Wanindu Hasaranga (21 off 10). At the second strategic timeout, the Royals were 105/4 after 13 overs, needing 101 from the final seven, with momentum slowly swinging back towards Dambulla.
Did the Royals make one final charge? Absolutely. The Power Blast produced 29 runs in the 16th and 17th overs, keeping the equation alive. Dale Phillips completed a fighting fifty off 36 balls, while Vijay Shankar enjoyed a huge slice of fortune after surviving an incredibly tight stumping review that even raised questions about a possible outside edge. But the breakthrough finally came when Mohammad Wasim dismissed Phillips for 52, ending the Royals' best hope. Vijay Shankar then entertained with a blistering 41 off just 18 balls, yet the asking rate had climbed beyond reach. Dambulla's bowlers held their nerve superbly through the final overs, restricting the Royals to 187/6 despite the late fireworks.
What ultimately decided the contest? Partnerships... and pressure. Dambulla's match-winning 94-run unbroken stand between Hendricks and Naib completely transformed the innings after they had slipped to 111/6. Kandy, meanwhile, managed useful stands but never one substantial enough after losing early wickets. Every promising partnership met a timely breakthrough. Every counterattack found a response. That is championship T20 cricket. Absorb. Respond. Finish stronger.
OVER 20
Kandy Royals
187/6
Dushan Hemantha
7(7)
Vijay Shankar
41(18)
Mohammad Wasim Jnr
2-39(4.0)
19.6 Mohammad Wasim Jnr to Vijay Shankar
1 Length ball outside off stump, pace off, 114.3 kph, Vijay hangs back and slaps the ball towards mid off in the ring. Vijay Shankar ends with 41 off 18 not out to his name. He played his part well but unfortunately as a team the Kandy Royals were not good enough. Dambulla Sixers win by 18 runs!
19.5 Mohammad Wasim Jnr to Vijay Shankar
6 SIX! That is a beautiful hit from Vijay Shankar. Very full ball on the stumps, tails back in, Vijay goes very deep in the crease and clips it uppishly with the angle and some great timing to send it flying over the deep midwicket fence.
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