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Dambulla Sixers face Galle Gallants in the 8th match of Lanka Premier League 2026 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, with Galle currently top of the table after two wins from two. In this preview you will find the match details, squad changes, pitch report and two DS vs GG fantasy team options, one safe and one for grand leagues.
For Indian viewers, the match starts at 7.30 PM IST, a 2.00 PM start in Dambulla.
DS vs GG Match Details
Match: Dambulla Sixers vs Galle Gallants, 8th Match, Lanka Premier League 2026
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (day-night)
Time: 7.30 PM IST | 2.00 PM local, Sri Lanka
Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
TV: Star Sports 3
Streaming: FanCode
A Galle Gallants Squad Reshaped By Late Changes
Galle Gallants’ squad has gone through several late changes since the franchise was rebranded from Galle Marvels this year.
Rassie van der Dussen, signed as an overseas icon player, was ruled unavailable for personal reasons in early July and replaced by Chris Lynn.
Sikandar Raza had also been signed before the tournament, but his participation became uncertain and Litton Das was brought in as his replacement, only for Das himself to be ruled out of the tournament entirely a few days later.
Haider Ali also withdrew earlier in June for national team commitments and was replaced by Virandeep Singh.
The net effect is a squad that looks quite different from what was originally announced, built around captain Dasun Shanaka and vice-captain Charith Asalanka, with Chris Lynn, Sam Harper, Nurul Hasan Sohan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the overseas core.
Dambulla Sixers: Mixed Start, Home Comforts
Dambulla Sixers go into this match with a 1-1 record, led by veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Chandimal. Reeza Hendricks, Sahibzada Farhan and Gulbadin Naib give them a strong overseas core, while Maheesh Theekshana and Akila Dananjaya provide a genuine spin threat on a ground that has historically favoured turn. Playing at their home venue in Dambulla should be an advantage after a mixed start to the campaign.
How Both Teams Fared In Their Last Match
Dambulla Sixers lost their most recent match against Jaffna Kings, falling 3 runs short while chasing 134. Jaffna Kings posted 133 for 5 in 19 overs, and Dambulla were bowled out for 130 in 19.3 overs in reply.
Galle Gallants won their most recent match against Colombo Kaps in a high-scoring chase. Colombo Kaps set a target of 189 for 8, and Galle Gallants chased it down comfortably, finishing on 191 for 5 with 4 balls to spare.
DS vs GG Head To Head
Dambulla Sixers lead the head to head 7 wins to 3 across the last ten meetings between the two sides, though most of that history was built against Galle’s previous identities as Galle Marvels, Galle Titans and Galle Gladiators rather than the newly rebranded Gallants.
DS vs GG Points Table
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galle Gallants | 2 | 2 | 0 | +1.121 | 4 |
| Dambulla Sixers | 2 | 1 | 1 | +0.170 | 2 |
Dambulla Pitch Report: Spin-Friendly, High Rain Risk
Rangiri Dambulla has historically offered more turn than pace, with spinners taking 54 percent of wickets across the last 10 matches at the ground against 46 percent for seamers. Both sides have strong spin options in their squads, which should make the middle overs a key battleground.
Dambulla Weather Report For DS vs GG
Rain is again a real concern for this match, with conditions expected to bring showers, humidity around 54 percent, temperature close to 29.9°C, and rain chance at 61 percent. Check live updates closer to the toss before finalising your fantasy team.
DS vs GG Probable Playing XIs
Dambulla Sixers (probable): Reeza Hendricks, Sahibzada Farhan, Dinesh Chandimal (c, wk), Marques Ackerman, Niroshan Dickwella, Gulbadin Naib, Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Galle Gallants (probable): Sam Harper, Chris Lynn, Charith Asalanka (vc), Dasun Shanaka (c), Sahan Arachchige, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Chamika Karunaratne, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Muhammad Nawaz, Kasun Rajitha, Eshan Malinga
Key Player Battles
Maheesh Theekshana vs Galle’s top order: Theekshana’s variations have made him a genuine wicket-taking threat in these conditions, and how Chris Lynn and Sam Harper handle him early could set the tone for the innings.
Dasun Shanaka vs Gulbadin Naib: Two experienced all-rounders and captains-in-spirit of their respective batting orders, both capable of quick, match-defining cameos.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz vs Dambulla’s middle order: Miraz’s off-spin offers Galle control through the middle overs, and containing Ackerman and Dickwella in that phase will be central to keeping Dambulla’s total in check.
DS vs GG Fantasy Team (Small Leagues)
Wicketkeeper: Dinesh Chandimal (C)
Batters: Chris Lynn (VC), Sahibzada Farhan, Sam Harper
All Rounders: Dasun Shanaka, Gulbadin Naib
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Muhammad Nawaz, Akila Dananjaya
Chandimal is captain given his experience and consistency behind the stumps and with the bat, and Lynn takes the vice-captaincy as Galle’s most destructive overseas batter. Theekshana and Miraz lead the bowling picks as the two standout spin options in conditions that should suit them.
DS vs GG Fantasy Team (Grand Leagues)
For grand leagues, this second DS vs GG fantasy team brings in Marques Ackerman and Sahan Arachchige as lower-owned alternatives to the headline names.
Wicketkeeper: Nurul Hasan Sohan — differential
Batters: Chris Lynn (C), Marques Ackerman (VC) — differential, Sahan Arachchige — differential
All Rounders: Dasun Shanaka, Ramesh Mendis — differential
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha — differential, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Dhananjaya Lakshan
Ackerman and Arachchige both offer upside without the ownership Chandimal or Farhan are likely to draw. Kasun Rajitha is the wildcard bowling pick, a domestic pace option capable of a breakout performance in helpful conditions.
Also Read: JK vs CK Fantasy Team, 7th Match: Preview, Probable XIs, Pitch Report And Prediction
DS vs GG Match Prediction
Galle Gallants arrive with the better recent results, unbeaten through two matches and sitting top of the table, despite the disruption of losing three signed players before a ball was bowled. Dambulla Sixers have home conditions on their side and a strong spin attack that should trouble Galle’s top order on a pitch that favours turn. This is close enough to be decided by which side’s overseas batters fire first, but Galle’s momentum and deeper batting card give them a narrow edge.
FAQs
Q. When is the DS vs GG match?
A. Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, starting at 2.00 PM local time, which is 7.30 PM IST.
Q. Where can I watch DS vs GG live in India?
A. The match will be telecast on Star Sports 3 and streamed live on FanCode.
Q. Who is Dambulla Sixers’ captain?
A. Dinesh Chandimal captains Dambulla Sixers.
Q. Who is Galle Gallants’ captain?
A. Dasun Shanaka captains Galle Gallants, with Charith Asalanka as vice-captain.
Q. Are Sikandar Raza and Litton Das playing for Galle Gallants?
A. No. Raza’s participation became uncertain and he was replaced by Litton Das, who was himself later ruled out of the tournament entirely. Rassie van der Dussen and Haider Ali have also withdrawn from the squad this season.