Lanka Premier League To Adopt IPL-Like Impact Player Rule From 2026 Season

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) is set to introduce the Impact Player rule from the upcoming 2026 season, following in the footsteps of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In addition, the league has also mandated that an Under-23 player has to be a part of each side’s playing 11 at all times. So, only players born after July 1, 2003, will qualify and cannot be substituted out for any player born before that date.

Launched in the IPL in 2023, the impact player rule lets teams substitute one starting player with a reserve anytime during a match, essentially allowing twelve specialists to play. It was adapted from the Big Bash League’s 2020 X-Factor rule, though the IPL version removed the BBL’s strict time limits.

Critics, including several high-profile

players in the league, have argued the rule destroys the traditional all-rounder role and creates artificially inflated scores. As a result, the BCCI is even planning to rethink the rule after the current season ends.

But LPL announced the rules ahead of the 2026 season draft, where several high-profile overseas names like the recently retired Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali, and Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan were included.

LPL 2026 squads

SC Jaffna Kings: Taskin Ahmed, Dunith Wellalage, Shakib Al Hasan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, David Wiese, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamil Mishara, Traveen Mathews, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohommed Shiraz, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lizaad Williams, Dipendra Airee, Kugathas Mathulan, Praveen Manisha, Nishan Madushka

Colombo Kaps: Ben McDermott, Kamindu Mendis, Jimmy Neesham, Kusal Mendis, Binura Fernando, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Milan Ratnayake, Janith Liyanage, Shahnawaz Dahani, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thanuka Dabare, Movin Subasingha, Mohammed Haris, Hasan Mahmud, Kushal Bhurtel, Malsha Tharupathi, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Wanuja Sahan, Anthony Pragasam

Kandy Royals: Vijay Shankar, Angelo Mathews, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thushara, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Garuka Sanketh, Daniel Sams, Vishen Halambage, Muditha Lakshan, Lahiru Udara, Dale Phillips, Zahir Khan, Brandon McMullen, Sahan Mihira, Pawan Sandesh, Dushan Hemantha, Isitha Wijesundera

Galle Gallants: Litton Das, Eshan Malinga, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Mohammad Nawaz, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Akif Javed, Sahan Arachchige, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Rathnayake, Sam Harper, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Haider Ali, Dinura Kalupahana, Uri Koththigoda, Kasun Rajitha, Sachindu Colombage

Dambulla Sixers: Reeza Hendricks, Dinesh Chandimal, Sahibzada Farhan, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Niroshan Dickwella, Pavan Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Mohammed Wasim, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ramesh Mendis, Sachitha Jayatilake, Gulbadin Naib, Dian Forrester, Shadley Schalkwyk, Vishva Kumara, Gayana Weerasinghe