Colombo Kaps, formerly known as Colombo Stars, Colombo Kings and Colombo Strikers, is a franchise Twenty20 cricket team based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, that competes in the Lanka Premier League. Kusal Mendis is the captain of this franchise while Chamara Kapugedara is the head coach.
 | ||
| League | Lanka Premier League | |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel | ||
| Captain | Kusal Mendis | |
| Coach | Chamara Kapugedara | |
| Owner | Witness Sports Alliance | |
| Team information | ||
| City | Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka | |
| Colours | Pink Purple | |
| Founded | 2020: Colombo Kings 2021: Colombo Stars 2023: Colombo Strikers 2025: Colombo Kaps | |
| Home ground | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | |
| Capacity | 35,000 | |
| History | ||
| LPL wins | 0 | |
| ||
Franchise history
edit2020 season
editIn the inaugural season, Murfad Mustafa was the owner of the franchise.[1][2] The team was supposed to be coached by former Australian cricketer Dav Whatmore.[3][4] However he pulled out ahead of the 2020 Lanka Premier League for personal reasons and was replaced by former English cricketer Kabir Ali.[5] Kabir Ali was again replaced by Herschelle Gibbs after he tested positive for COVID-19. Angelo Mathews was announced as the icon player and Andre Russell was named as the marquee foreign player.[6]
2021 season
editIn June 2021, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) terminated the franchise ahead of the 2021 Lanka Premier League, due to financial issues.[7][8] In November 2021, the team changed its name to Colombo Stars after Softlogic Holdings PLC took over the ownership of the franchise.[9]
2022 season
edit2023 season
editIn May 2023, LPL promoter and the chairman of IPG Group told that Softlogic Holdings PLC had part ways with Colombo Stars with mutual understanding.[10] In May 2023, the team changed its name to Colombo Strikers after SKKY Group took over the ownership.[11]
2024 season
edit2026 season
editIn April 2025, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that franchise owners had been terminated ahead of the 2025 Lanka Premier League due to their failure to fulfill the obligations of a team owner in the Lanka Premier League.[12] In mid-October 2025, it was announced that the Colombo franchise had been purchased by Witness Sports Alliance LLC, led by Indian entrepreneurs Saranyan Palaniswamy and K.C. Shyam Kangayan, and the franchise was renamed as "Colombo Kaps".[13]
Before the 2026 player draft, the Mendis duo, Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis, Jimmy Neesham and Ben McDermott signed with the Kaps as pre-draft signings.[14][15] Chamara Kapugedera and Nuwan Kulasekara were appointed as the head coach and the bowling coach respectively.[16][17]
Current squad
edit| No. | Name | Nat. | Date of birth | Batting style | Bowling style | Year signed | Salary (US$) |
Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batters | |||||||||
| 2 | Thanuka Dabare |  |
20 August 1998 (aged 27) | Left handed | Right-arm off break | 2026 | 20,000 | Local Classic | |
| Wicket-keepers | |||||||||
| 29 | Mohammad Haris |  |
30 March 2001 (aged 25) | Right handed | Right-arm off break | 2026 | 20,000 | Overseas Classic | |
| 47 | Ben McDermott |  |
12 December 1994 (aged 31) | Right handed | Right-arm medium fast | 2026 | 60,000 | Overseas Star | |
| 13 | Kusal Mendis | |
2 February 1995 (aged 31) | Right handed | Right-arm leg break | 2026 | 80,000 | Local Icon | Captain |
| 23 | Sadeera Samarawickrama | |
30 August 1995 (aged 30) | Right handed | N/a | 2026 | 30,000 | Local Gold | |
| Sharujan Shanmuganathan | |
25 April 2006 (aged 20) | Right handed | Right-arm leg break | 2026 | 10,000 | Emerging U23 | ||
| All-rounders | |||||||||
| 14 | Kushal Bhurtel |  |
22 January 1997 (aged 29) | Right handed | Right-arm leg break | 2026 | 15,000 | Overseas Associate Star | |
| 95 | Janith Liyanage | |
12 July 1995 (aged 31) | Right handed | Right-arm medium fast | 2026 | 30,000 | Local Gold | |
| 21 | Kamindu Mendis | |
30 September 1998 (aged 27) | Left handed | Ambidextrous spin | 2026 | 60,000 | Local Star | |
| 50 | James Neesham |  |
17 September 1990 (aged 35) | Left handed | Right-arm medium fast | 2026 | 80,000 | Overseas Icon | |
| 37 | Milan Rathnayake | |
1 August 1996 (aged 29) | Left handed | Right-arm medium fast | 2026 | 30,000 | Local Gold | |
| 51 | Movin Subasingha | |
6 July 2000 (aged 26) | Right handed | Right-arm off break | 2026 | 20,000 | Local Classic | |
| 49 | Malsha Tharupathi | |
7 November 2004 (aged 21) | Right handed | Right-arm leg break | 2026 | 10,000 | Emerging U23 | |
| Pace bowlers | |||||||||
| 28 | Shahnawaz Dahani | |
5 August 1998 (aged 27) | Right handed | Right-arm medium fast | 2026 | 30,000 | Overseas Gold | |
| 71 | Binura Fernando | |
12 July 1995 (aged 31) | Right handed | Left-arm medium fast | 2026 | 50,000 | Local Platinum | |
| 91 | Hasan Mahmud |  |
12 October 1999 (aged 26) | Right handed | Right-arm medium fast | 2026 | 20,000 | Overseas Classic | |
| N/A | Arul Pragasam | |
6 November 1993 (aged 32) | Right handed | Right-arm medium fast | 2026 | 20,000 | Local Classic | |
| Spin bowlers | |||||||||
| N/A | Wanuja Sahan | |
17 June 2003 (aged 23) | Left handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2026 | 30,000 | Local Gold | |
| 88 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman |  |
28 March 2001 (aged 25) | Right handed | Right-arm off break | 2026 | 50,000 | Overseas Platinum | |
| 46 | Jeffrey Vandersay | |
5 February 1990 (aged 36) | Right handed | Right-arm leg break | 2026 | 20,000 | Local Classic | |
| Source(s) | ThePapare, Inside Sport & Sri Lanka Cricket[18][19][20] | |||||||||
Administration and support staff
edit| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Chamara Kapugedera |
| Bowling coach | Nuwan Kulasekara |
| Assistant coach | Vacant |
History
edit| Season | Head coach | Assistant coach |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 |  Herschelle Gibbs |
Rangana Herath |
| 2021 | Ruwan Kalpage |
Trevin Mathew |
| 2022 | Chamila Gamage | |
| 2023 | Simon Helmot |
Jerome Jayaratne |
| 2024 |  Carl Crowe |
Simon Helmot |
| 2026 | Chamara Kapugedera |
Nuwan Kulasekara |
Captains
edit- As of 19 June 2024
| No. | Player | From | To | Mat | Won | Lost | Tie&W | Tie&L | NR | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angelo Mathews | 2020 | 2022 | 24 | 13 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 54.16 |
| 2 | Dhananjaya de Silva | 2021 | 2021 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| 3 | Niroshan Dickwella | 2023 | 2023 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| 4 | Chamika Karunaratne | 2023 | 2023 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| 5 | Babar Azam | 2023 | 2023 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Thisara Perera | 2024 | 2024 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44.44 |
- Source: ESPNcricinfo[21]
Seasons
editStatistics
editHighest individual score
edit- As of 18 August 2023
| Runs | Player | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 108* | Laurie Evans | Jaffna Stallions | Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota | 10 December 2020 |
| 104 | Babar Azam | Galle Gladiators | Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Kandy | 7 August 2023 |
| 80 | Dinesh Chandimal | Kandy Tuskers | Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota | 26 November 2020 |
| 73* | Angelo Mathews | Jaffna Kings | Pallekele Cricket Stadium, Kandy | 12 December 2022 |
| 73 | Galle Gladiators | R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 12 December 2021 | |
| Source: Cricinfo[22] | ||||
Most career wickets
edit- As of 19 August 2023
| Wickets | Player | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Jeffrey Vandersay | 2020–2023 |
| 21 | Dushmantha Chameera | 2020–2021 |
| 15 | Seekkuge Prasanna | 2021–2022 |
| 15 | Naveen-ul-Haq | 2021–2022 |
| 13 | Kasun Rajitha | 2022 |
| 12 | Matheesha Pathirana | 2023-2023 |
- Source: CricInfo[23]
Best figures in an innings
edit- As of 19 August 2023
| Figures | Player | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/25 | Jeffrey Vandersay | Kandy Warriors | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 17 December 2021 |
| 5/22 | Kasun Rajitha | Dambulla Aura | 14 December 2022 | |
| 4/20 | Kasun Rajitha | Kandy Falcons | 22 December 2022 | |
| 4/35 | Dushmantha Chameera | Kandy Warriors | 14 December 2021 | |
| 3/24 | Matheesha Pathirana | Kandy Warriors | 31 July 2023 | |
| 3/17 | Benny Howell | Galle Gladiators | 21 December 2022 |
- Source: CricInfo[24]
Team identity
editAnthem
edit| Year | Anthem | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Say Colombo Kings | Pasan Liyanage, Pradhee, Shaa, Lucky |
| 2021 | Romaine Willis, Randhir Witana, Kaizer Kaiz |
Kit manufacturers and sponsors
edit| Year | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor (front) | Shirt sponsor (back) | Chest branding | Sleeve branding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Moose Clothing | Faza.ae | Sport Loop | Maaté | Safco International, 11 Wickets |
| 2021 | Softlogic Holdings | N/a | Softlogic Life Insurance, Odel, Asiri Health | ||
| 2022 | MazaPlay | Softlogic Holdings | |||
| 2023 | Kheloyar | 1xBook | Mentos | ||
| 2024 | Babu88 Sports[25] | Zetto Sports | Oateo | Turbo Energy Drink, GENXT | |
References
edit- ↑ Kumarasinghe, Chathura (17 November 2020). "Faza Group to unleash Colombo Kings on LPL". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ↑ "Meet Murfad Mustafa, the Indian who owns LPL team Colombo Kings". The Week. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ↑ "Whatmore excited to return to Sri Lanka for LPL". BDCricTime. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ↑ Sanyal, S. (21 October 2020). "LPL 2020: The complete player lists for all Lanka Premier League franchises". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ↑ "Dav Whatmore won't be joining Lanka Premier League". BDCricTime. 15 November 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ↑ Scroll staff (19 October 2020). "Cricket: Gayle, du Plessis, Afridi among marquee names picked in Lanka Premier League draft". scroll.in. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
- ↑ "SLC approves termination of Colombo Kings and Dambulla Viiking". CricBuzz. 26 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ↑ "Colombo Kings, Dambulla Viiking terminate contracts, withdraw from LPL 2021". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ↑ "Softlogic Holdings to take ownership of Colombo Franchise for LPL 2021". The Papare. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ↑ LPL denies media reports on dispute with Softlogic NewsWire. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ↑ "New York-based SKKY group takes over LPL Colombo franchise". Ada Derana. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ↑ "Colombo Strikers, Jaffna Kings franchise agreements terminated". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
- ↑ "Lanka Premier League receives Indian investment with acquisition of Colombo Kaps franchise". Asian News International. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ↑ "Vijay Shankar, Jimmy Neesham and Ben McDermott add firepower to LPL 2026". Pakistan Today. 26 May 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "LPL 2026: Sahibzada Farhan, Shakib Al Hasan among big pre-signings". Geo Super. 26 May 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "Sri Lanka's coaching talent will once again take center stage at LPL 2026". Sri Lanka Sports. 30 May 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- ↑ "The wait is officially OVER! The legendary Nuwan Kulasekara is on duty as our Bowling Coach for LPL 2026". Colombo Kaps. 25 May 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026 – via Facebook.
- ↑ Kanishka Sanjeewa (1 June 2026). "Full LPL 2026 Squads Following the Player Draft". ThePapare. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- ↑ Naman Jain (2 June 2026). "All LPL 2026 squads after Lanka Premier League draft". Inside Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- ↑ "LPL 2026: Final Squads". Sri Lanka Cricket. 2 June 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- ↑ ESPNcricinfo
- ↑ "Highest individual score". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ↑ "Most career wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ↑ "Best bowling figures in an innings". Retrieved 20 October 2020.
- ↑ "BABU88Sports Announces Sponsorship of Colombo Strikers in Lanka Premier League". Business Standard. 3 July 2024.
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