Former India All-Rounder Vijay Shankar Signs for Kandy Royals in LPL 2026
Just days after announcing his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Indian domestic cricket, Vijay Shankar has signed with the Kandy Royals for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026. The tournament is scheduled to run from July 17 to August 8, marking a new chapter in the all-rounder’s cricketing journey. The former India player will now continue his career in overseas franchise cricket after stepping away from the Indian circuit.
Vijay Shankar, who represented Tamil Nadu for the majority of his domestic career before moving to Tripura in 2025, played 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is for India after making his international debut in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Known for his utility as a batting all-rounder, Shankar was often viewed as a dependable middle-order option capable of contributing with the ball as well.
The former Tamil Nadu star is the latest addition to the Kandy franchise, which has undergone a rebranding ahead of the new season. Previously known as the Kandy Falcons, the team will now compete as the Kandy Royals in LPL 2026. Shankar’s experience across formats and conditions is expected to add depth and balance to the squad.
Although he has retired from Indian cricket, Shankar still possesses extensive T20 experience through the IPL. Across 78 IPL matches, he represented franchises such as Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans, scoring 1233 runs and taking 22 wickets. His ability to play multiple roles made him a valuable squad player throughout his IPL career.
Shankar made his First-Class and List-A debuts for Tamil Nadu in 2012 and gradually established himself as one of the state’s most reliable all-rounders by the 2014–15 domestic season. His strong performances earned him an India A call-up and eventually helped him break into the national team setup. While he made his IPL debut in 2014, his breakout campaign in 2017 accelerated his rise in international cricket.
He made his T20I debut for India against Sri Lanka in March 2018 and later earned his ODI debut against Australia in Melbourne in 2019. That same year, Shankar was selected in India’s squad for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, a decision that sparked significant debate among fans and experts. Despite the controversies surrounding his selection, Shankar remains a respected figure in Indian domestic cricket and now looks set for a fresh challenge in Sri Lanka’s premier T20 league.
Vijay Shankar Career Stats
Batting
| Format | Mat | Inn | Runs | HS | Avg | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 12 | 8 | 223 | 46 | 31.85 | 90.65 |
| T20Is | 9 | 4 | 101 | 43 | 25.25 | 138.35 |
| FC | 77 | 107 | 4253 | 151* | 46.73 | 54.14 |
| List A | 112 | 98 | 2790 | 129 | 34.87 | 88.31 |
| T20s | 159 | 128 | 2583 | 69* | 26.09 | 128.37 |
Bowling
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Wckts | Best | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 12 | 9 | 233 | 4 | 2/15 | 5.40 |
| T20Is | 9 | 6 | 126 | 5 | 2/32 | 9.09 |
| FC | 77 | 88 | 4511 | 43 | 4/52 | 3.23 |
| List A | 112 | 91 | 2804 | 73 | 4/30 | 5.20 |
| T20s | 159 | 70 | 938 | 38 | 3/12 | 8.16 |
Lanka Premier League 2026 Schedule
| Date | Match Details | Timing (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 17, 2026 | Jaffna Kings vs Galle Marvels | 19:30 | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| July 18, 2026 | Kandy Falcons vs Dambulla Sixers | 15:00 | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| July 18, 2026 | Galle Marvels vs Colombo Kaps | 19:30 | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| July 19, 2026 | Dambulla Sixers vs Jaffna Kings | 15:00 | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| July 19, 2026 | Colombo Kaps vs Kandy Falcons | 19:30 | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| July 21, 2026 | Dambulla Sixers vs Kandy Falcons | 19:30 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla |
| July 22, 2026 | Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Kaps | 15:00 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla |
| July 22, 2026 | Dambulla Sixers vs Galle Marvels | 19:30 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla |
| July 23, 2026 | Kandy Falcons vs Colombo Kaps | 15:00 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla |
| July 23, 2026 | Galle Marvels vs Jaffna Kings | 19:30 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla |
| July 25, 2026 | Galle Marvels vs Kandy Falcons | 15:00 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla |
| July 25, 2026 | Dambulla Sixers vs Colombo Kaps | 19:30 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla |
| July 26, 2026 | Kandy Falcons vs Jaffna Kings | 15:00 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla |
| July 26, 2026 | Galle Marvels vs Dambulla Sixers | 19:30 | Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla |
| July 28, 2026 | Colombo Kaps vs Jaffna Kings | 19:30 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| July 29, 2026 | Galle Marvels vs Kandy Falcons | 15:00 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| July 29, 2026 | Colombo Kaps vs Dambulla Sixers | 19:30 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| July 30, 2026 | Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Falcons | 19:30 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| August 1, 2026 | Colombo Kaps vs Galle Marvels | 19:30 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| August 2, 2026 | Jaffna Kings vs Dambulla Sixers | 19:30 | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| August 5, 2026 | Qualifier 1 | 15:00 | R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo |
| August 5, 2026 | Eliminator | 19:30 | R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo |
| August 7, 2026 | Qualifier 2 | 19:30 | R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo |
| August 8, 2026 | Final | 19:30 | R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo |
| August 9, 2026 | Reserve Day | ||