Kandy Royals produced a remarkable turnaround in Dambulla, defeating league leaders Galle Gallants by 11 runs in the eleventh fixture of the Lanka Premier League 2026.
Placed last before the contest, Kandy were invited to bat after Dasun Shanaka chose to field. Their innings began badly, with the first three wickets falling for only 24. Debutant Pramod Madushan made an immediate impact, removing Kusal Perera and Sediqullah Atal during a double wicket maiden.
Dale Phillips and Wanindu Hasaranga briefly steadied the side through a 40 run association. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth then shifted the momentum, dismissing Hasaranga before bowling Phillips for 34 in his following over.
Moeen Ali supplied the strongest contribution, scoring 41 from 29 deliveries. He combined with Angelo Mathews for 58, while Mathews later joined Vijay Shankar in an unbeaten 28 run stand that carried the Royals beyond 160. Akif Javed led the Gallants attack with 2 for 26 as Kandy finished on 165.
Galle required 166, but Nuwan Thushara struck twice in the second over to remove Mehidy Hasan and Dinura Kalupahana. Further losses followed, with Sam Harper, Charith Asalanka and Sahan Arachchige departing cheaply as the chase slipped to 54 for 5 within ten overs.
Chamika Karunaratne and Shanaka revived hope through a rapid 73 run partnership from 44 balls. Karunaratne made 52 from 35 before Asitha Fernando had him caught at long off.
With 39 needed from three overs, Shanaka completed a 30 ball fifty, yet Kandy controlled the closing stages brilliantly. Fernando allowed only seven in the nineteenth over, while Garuka Sanketh conceded six in the last. Their composure secured victory and moved the Royals into third place.
It was a disciplined display from Kandy’s pace unit, whose early breakthroughs and calm execution at the finish transformed a difficult evening into a memorable success overall.
