CK vs KR Fantasy Prediction, Eliminator 1: Colombo Kaps vs Kandy Royals Fantasy Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, LPL 2026

CK vs KR Fantasy Team fans have a high-stakes contest to look forward to. Win or go home. Colombo Kaps finished third and Kandy Royals finished fourth, and the loser here is out of LPL 2026 for good. The winner gets a second life in Qualifier 2, where they’ll play the loser of Qualifier 1 for a spot in the final. Kamindu Mendis leads Colombo Kaps, and Angelo Mathews captains a star-studded Kandy Royals side that includes Shaheen Afridi and Wanindu Hasaranga.

CK vs KR Match Details

Match: Colombo Kaps vs Kandy Royals, Eliminator 1, Lanka Premier League 2026
Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST / 7:30 PM Local Time (Sri Lanka)
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Streaming in India: FanCode
TV in India: Star Sports Network

Recent Form

Colombo Kaps have won three of their last five, including a win over Dambulla Sixers where they chased down 175 with an over to spare. Their only recent loss came in their last game, against Galle Gallants, where they fell short chasing 202. Kandy Royals have been streakier, winning two of their last five. Their best recent result was a big chase against Galle Gallants, running down 209 with more than an over to spare, but they lost their last game to Jaffna Kings, bowled out for 200 chasing 222.

What’s at Stake

This is straight knockout cricket. Colombo Kaps finished third in the league table and Kandy Royals finished fourth. The winner moves on to Qualifier 2 to face the loser of Qualifier 1, with the winner of that game reaching the final. The loser of this Eliminator is out of the tournament.

CK vs KR Head to Head Record

Colombo Kaps have the clear edge, winning seven of the last 10 meetings. They’ve also won both meetings this season, including a tight one earlier where Kandy Royals fell agonisingly short chasing 193. Kandy Royals will need to break that recent pattern if they want to keep their season alive.

CK vs KR Squads

Colombo Kaps: Kamindu Mendis captains the side. He took over after regular captain Kusal Mendis was ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury, so Kusal is not available for this match despite still appearing on some squad listings. Ben McDermott and Sadeera Samarawickrama give the batting depth, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman leads a strong spin attack. Available squad: Kamindu Mendis (c), Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Ben McDermott, Kushal Bhurtel, Rubin Hermann, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Thanuka Dabare, Ashen Bandara, Janith Liyanage, Jimmy Neesham, Wanuja Sahan, Malsha Tharupathi, Movin Subasingha, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Shahnawaz Dahani, Arul Pragasam, Binura Fernando, Hasan Mahmud, Ripon Mondol.

Kandy Royals: Angelo Mathews captains the side, one of Sri Lanka’s most experienced players. The squad is loaded with talent, including Wanindu Hasaranga, Moeen Ali, Vijay Shankar and Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi, who is playing his first ever LPL season under head coach Chaminda Vaas. Rahmanullah Gurbaz withdrew before the tournament due to commitments in the Shpageeza Cricket League and was replaced by Sediqullah Atal. Full squad: Angelo Mathews (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Moeen Ali, Vijay Shankar, Shaheen Afridi, Kusal Perera, Dale Phillips, Sediqullah Atal, Pawan Sandesh, Lahiru Udara, Muditha Lakshan, Vishen Halambage, Dushan Hemantha, Brandon McMullen, Daniel Sams, Isitha Wijesundara, Asitha Fernando, Garuka Sanketh, Nuwan Thushara, Zahir Khan, Sahan Mahira.

Pitch Report

R Premadasa Stadium has leaned towards spin this tournament, with spinners taking 57 percent of the wickets over the last 10 matches here. Both teams have plenty of spin options to call on, so the middle overs could decide this one. Scores have varied a fair bit at this ground, so a big total isn’t guaranteed either way.

Weather Report

There’s a real chance of rain. Forecasts for Wednesday in Colombo show around a 30 percent chance, with warm, humid conditions around 86°F (30°C). Given how much is on the line, a delay or a reduced overs decider would be a big deal, so check the toss before locking your fantasy team.

Probable Playing XIs

Colombo Kaps (Probable): Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Ben McDermott, Kamindu Mendis (c), Rubin Hermann, Janith Liyanage, Jimmy Neesham, Wanuja Sahan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Shahnawaz Dahani, Hasan Mahmud.

Kandy Royals (Probable): Kusal Perera, Dale Phillips, Angelo Mathews (c), Vijay Shankar, Moeen Ali, Sediqullah Atal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Brandon McMullen, Shaheen Afridi, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.

These are the likely lineups. Both are confirmed at the toss, and rain could force late changes.

Key Player Battles

Kamindu Mendis vs Wanindu Hasaranga: Two of the best all rounders in world cricket right now, leading their sides from the front. Whoever does more with bat and ball could be the difference between going through and going home.

Ben McDermott vs Shaheen Afridi: McDermott likes to attack early, and Afridi, playing his first ever LPL match, brings real pace and swing with the new ball.

Jimmy Neesham vs Moeen Ali: Two experienced all rounders capable of turning a game in a few overs, whether with the bat, the ball, or both.

Kamindu Mendis gets the captaincy as Colombo’s most complete all rounder and their leader in a knockout game. Hasaranga takes the vice captaincy as one of the best white ball all rounders anywhere, capable of winning the game with either skill. The rest of the team leans on both top orders plus the spin options who should be busy in the middle overs.

For a grand league differential play, Shankar gets the captaincy as an all rounder making his LPL debut without the ownership the bigger names will draw. Mujeeb takes the vice captaincy as a proven wicket taker in these conditions. Dale Phillips and Nuwan Thushara are the differential picks, both capable of a quick contribution that could swing a fantasy contest.

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Match Prediction

Colombo Kaps go in with the head to head edge, having beaten Kandy Royals both times this season, and a captain in Kamindu Mendis who leads by example. Kandy Royals have serious firepower with Hasaranga, Afridi, Moeen Ali and Vijay Shankar, and knockout cricket has a way of bringing out the best in a stacked squad. Colombo Kaps get the nod on recent history, but this is close enough that either side could easily advance.

CK vs KR Fantasy Team FAQs

Q. Who will win the CK vs KR Eliminator 1 today?
A. Colombo Kaps have a slight edge, having won both meetings against Kandy Royals this season, though Kandy Royals have enough star power in Hasaranga, Afridi and Moeen Ali to turn it around.

Q. What is the CK vs KR Fantasy prediction for Eliminator 1?
A. Kamindu Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga are the top captaincy picks. Vijay Shankar and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are strong differential options.

Q. What happens to the losing team in the Eliminator?
A. They’re out of the tournament. The winner advances to Qualifier 2 to face the loser of Qualifier 1, with that winner going through to the final.

Q. Is Kusal Mendis playing for Colombo Kaps in this match?
A. No. Kusal Mendis was ruled out of the rest of LPL 2026 with an injury earlier in the tournament, even though some squad listings still show his name. Kamindu Mendis continues to captain the side in his absence.

Q. What is the pitch report for R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo?
A. It’s leaned towards spin this tournament, with spinners taking 57 percent of the wickets over the last 10 matches. Scores have varied, so a big total isn’t guaranteed.

Q. What is the probable Playing XI for CK vs KR?
A. Colombo Kaps should be led by Kamindu Mendis with Sadeera Samarawickrama keeping wicket. Kandy Royals will build around captain Angelo Mathews, Wanindu Hasaranga and Shaheen Afridi. Final XIs are confirmed at the toss.

Q. Will rain affect the CK vs KR Eliminator?
A. There’s a real chance. Forecasts show around a 30 percent chance of rain in Colombo on 5 August, so check the toss before finalising your team given how much is riding on this match.