Table of Contents
Galle Gallants face Kandy Royals in the 11th match of Lanka Premier League 2026 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, with Galle sitting second in the table and Kandy still searching for consistency. In this preview you will find the match details, squad notes, pitch report and two GG vs KR fantasy team options, one safe and one for grand leagues.
For Indian viewers, the match starts at 3.00 PM IST, a 9.30 AM start in Dambulla.
GG vs KR Match Details
Match: Galle Gallants vs Kandy Royals, 11th Match, Lanka Premier League 2026
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 3.00 PM IST | 9.30 AM local, Sri Lanka
Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
TV: Star Sports 3
Streaming: FanCode
Form Check: Galle On The Up, Kandy Searching For Answers
Galle Gallants have won 3 of their 4 matches so far, including their most recent game against Jaffna Kings, and sit second in the table with 6 points. Kandy Royals have had a much tougher start, winning just 1 of 4, and go into this match having lost their last three. Angelo Mathews’ side will need a big turnaround to get their campaign back on track.
Kandy Royals: A New Franchise With Recognisable Names
Kandy Royals play under a new identity this year after the franchise was bought by US-based investor Sandhya Ajjarapu and rebranded from its previous names. Angelo Mathews captains the side, with Wanindu Hasaranga signed as a marquee local player alongside Moeen Ali and Vijay Shankar, who is making his LPL debut after retiring from Indian domestic cricket. Shaheen Shah Afridi joined the squad as a high-profile replacement signing after leaving Lahore Qalandars’ Global Super League squad earlier this year.
GG vs KR Points Table
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galle Gallants | 4 | 3 | 1 | +0.854 | 6 |
| Kandy Royals | 4 | 1 | 3 | -0.051 | 2 |
GG vs KR Head To Head Record
Galle lead the head to head 6 wins to 4 across the last ten meetings between the two sides, though those matches were mostly played against Kandy’s previous identities as Kandy Falcons and B-Love Kandy.
Squads
Galle Gallants: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Chris Lynn, Sam Harper, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Muhammad Nawaz, Chamika Karunaratne, Sahan Arachchige, Virandeep Singh, Kasun Rajitha, Eshan Malinga, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dinura Kalupahana, Yuri Koththigoda, Akif Javed, Sachindu Colombage
Note: Rassie van der Dussen and Haider Ali are both no longer part of this squad. Van der Dussen was ruled unavailable for personal reasons and replaced by Chris Lynn, while Haider Ali withdrew for national team duty and was replaced by Virandeep Singh.
Kandy Royals: Angelo Mathews (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Moeen Ali, Vijay Shankar, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Nuwan Thushara, Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Dushan Hemantha, Daniel Sams, Shaheen Afridi, Pawan Sandesh, Lahiru Udara, Muditha Lakshan, Dale Phillips, Vishen Halambage, Brandon McMullen, Isitha Wijesundara, Garuka Sanketh, Zahir Khan, Sahan Mihira
Dambulla Pitch Report: Bat First Heavily Favoured
Rangiri Dambulla has hosted 5 matches this season, with the team batting first winning 80 percent of them. The average first innings score of 187 is well above what most sides have managed on the road here, making winning the toss and batting a significant advantage so far this tournament.
Venue stats:
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 5 |
| Won batting first | 80% |
| Won bowling first | 20% |
| Average 1st innings score | 187 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 161 |
| Highest total | 194/6 by Kandy Royals vs Dambulla Sixers |
| Lowest total | 133 all out by Jaffna Kings vs Galle Gallants |
| Highest chased | 180/4 by Dambulla Sixers vs Galle Gallants |
Pace and spin have been almost evenly matched at this ground, with 58 wickets to pace against 57 to spin across the last 10 matches.
Dambulla Weather Report For GG vs KR
Mostly sunny conditions are expected, with humidity around 56 percent and temperature close to 29°C. Rain chance is a notable 58 percent, so there is a real possibility of an interrupted match.
GG vs KR Probable Playing XIs
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
Kandy Royals (probable): Kusal Perera, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angelo Mathews (c), Vijay Shankar, Moeen Ali, Dale Phillips, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Daniel Sams, Shaheen Afridi, Nuwan Thushara
Key Player Battles
Wanindu Hasaranga vs Galle’s top order: Hasaranga’s leg-spin remains one of the most dangerous weapons in the tournament, and how Sam Harper and Chris Lynn handle him early could shape the whole innings.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz vs Kandy’s middle order: Miraz’s control has been a consistent strength for Galle this season, and containing Angelo Mathews and Vijay Shankar in the middle overs will be central to keeping Kandy’s total in check.
Shaheen Afridi vs Galle’s top order: Afridi’s pace with the new ball gives Kandy a real wicket-taking threat at the top of the innings, a rare weapon for a side that has struggled for results so far.
GG vs KR Fantasy Team (Small Leagues)
Wicketkeeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Angelo Mathews (C), Chris Lynn (VC), Sam Harper
All Rounders: Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga
Bowlers: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shaheen Afridi, Kasun Rajitha, Muhammad Nawaz, Daniel Sams
Mathews is captain given his experience and importance to Kandy’s batting, and Lynn takes the vice-captaincy as Galle’s most destructive overseas hitter. Hasaranga and Asalanka cover the all-round bases, and Miraz and Afridi lead the bowling picks as two of the standout performers in the tournament so far.
GG vs KR Fantasy Team (Grand Leagues)
For grand leagues, this second GG vs KR fantasy team brings in Vijay Shankar and Sahan Arachchige as lower-owned alternatives to the headline names.
Wicketkeeper: Dale Phillips — differential
Batters: Angelo Mathews (C), Vijay Shankar (VC) — differential, Sahan Arachchige — differential
All Rounders: Moeen Ali, Chamika Karunaratne
Bowlers: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nuwan Thushara — differential, Kasun Rajitha, Eshan Malinga
Shankar and Arachchige both offer upside without the ownership Mathews or Lynn are likely to draw. Nuwan Thushara is the wildcard bowling pick, capable of a breakout performance for a Kandy side searching for answers.
Also Read: CK vs DS Fantasy Team, 12th Match: Preview, Probable XIs, Pitch Report And Prediction
GG vs KR Match Prediction
Galle Gallants go into this match with the better recent form and a settled top order, while Kandy Royals have struggled to find consistency despite a squad full of recognisable names. Wanindu Hasaranga and Shaheen Afridi give Kandy real matchwinners on their day, but three straight losses suggest deeper issues than individual quality. Galle are the clear favourites here on current form, with a venue that has favoured the team batting first playing into their hands if they win the toss.
FAQs
Q. When is the GG vs KR match?
A. Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, starting at 9.30 AM local time, which is 3.00 PM IST.
Q. Where can I watch GG vs KR live in India?
A. The match will be telecast on Star Sports 3 and streamed live on FanCode.
Q. Who is Galle Gallants’ captain?
A. Dasun Shanaka captains Galle Gallants.
Q. Who is Kandy Royals’ captain?
A. Angelo Mathews captains Kandy Royals.
Q. Is Shaheen Afridi playing in this match?
A. He is part of the Kandy Royals squad, having joined as a replacement signing after leaving Lahore Qalandars’ Global Super League squad.