The Lanka Premier League is back after a two-year absence, and the Galle Gallants are absolutely tearing it up, sitting pretty at the top of the Dafabet sponsored 2026 table with two wins from two games. This team, led by Dasun Shanaka, has made the strongest start imaginable, bolstered by a super healthy net run rate that nobody else is touching right now.
Galle Gallants Are on Fire, Kings Look Shaky
Galle Gallants have straight-up dominated to kick off the season. They’ve racked up four points already, and their net run rate of 1.121 is easily the best in the league. It’s not just that they’re winning, it’s how they’re winning. We saw them dismantle the Jaffna Kings by 36 runs, hitting 213/6 and then limiting the Kings to 177. Then, they took down the Colombo Kaps with a solid 5-wicket victory. Shanaka’s squad looks incredibly balanced with Sam Harper, Litton Das, and Charith Asalanka delivering across the board. It’s no wonder our pick for the whole tournament is the Gallants right now. This team means business, and they are making a huge statement early on.
On the flip side, the defending champions, the Jaffna Kings, have had a tougher start than anyone expected. They won the last edition of this tournament in 2024, and before that in 2021 and 2022, so they know how to win, but man, they are stumbling out of the gate. Their single win came against the Dambulla Sixers by 5 wickets, but that loss to the Gallants by 36 runs has to sting. With a net run rate of -0.626, they are dead last in that category, tied for last place with Dambulla on two points. The middle of the table is super tight, with Kandy Royals, Colombo Kaps, and Dambulla Sixers all also sitting on two points. Every game is critical to break away from that pack and keep pace with the high-flying Gallants.
What’s Coming Up Today
Today, July 22nd, is huge for a couple of teams trying to find their footing or keep their momentum. First up, the Colombo Kaps face off against the Jaffna Kings at 3:00 PM local time. This is a must-win for the Kings if they want to avoid falling further behind and start building some confidence. Then, later at 7:30 PM local, the Dambulla Sixers get to challenge the red-hot Galle Gallants. Can Dambulla hand Galle their first loss and shake up the top of the table? Or will the Gallants keep their perfect record intact and prove they’re the team to beat? It’s going to be wild, and these early season matchups mean everything for who gets to start thinking about the playoff stage in August.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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