Jaffna Kings

Jaffna based franchise cricket team of the Lanka Premier League

Cricket team

Jaffna Kings

Nickname(s)| Kings of The North
League| Lanka Premier League
Personnel
Captain| Charith Asalanka
Coach| Avishka Gunawardene
Owner| Subaskaran Allirajah (Lyca Group)
Team information
City| Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka
Colours|  Blue
Gold
Founded| 2020: Jaffna Stallions
2021: Jaffna Kings
History
LPL wins| 4 (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024)

T20I kit

Jaffna Kings (Tamil: யாழ்ப்பாணம் கிங்ஸ்), formerly known as Jaffna Stallions, is a franchise cricket team which plays in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Kings are the current title holder of the tournament.

The team was coached by former Sri Lankan captain Thilina Kandamby.[1] Thisara Perera was the team's captain for the first four seasons.[2]

## Franchise history

[edit]

### 2020 season

[edit]

Main article: Jaffna Stallions in 2020

The team was owned by a consortium consisting of Sri Lankans and Indians from all over the world including Australia, Canada, France, United Kingdom, and the USA.[3] Arnold Anandan and Rahul Sood, creator of Microsoft Ventures M12, were leading the consortium of tech industry leaders from the Pacific Northwest and Silicon Valley.[4][5] Among others, Rahul Sood was cited as a tech leader from the Seattle area who is investing in cricket, where the Jaffna Stallions also announced a global education partnership with Code.org.[6] As part of their outreach to the country of Sri Lanka the Jaffna Stallions released a song in partnership with famous artists La Signore, aka Lahiru Perera, and Dinesh Gamage, the song contains lyrics in both Sinhalese and Tamil and it's now trending at the top of the charts in Sri Lanka.[7][8]

On 16 December 2020, the team won the inaugural Lanka Premier League Championship.[9] The team captain Thisara Perera and Shoaib Malik both played pivotal roles in the win.[10]

### 2021 season

[edit]

Main article: Jaffna Kings in 2021

In July 2021, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) terminated the franchise ahead of the 2021 Lanka Premier League due to financial issues.[11] In September 2021, the team changed its name to Jaffna Kings after Lyca Group took over the ownership.[12]

### 2022 season

[edit]

Main article: Jaffna Kings in 2022

### 2023 season

[edit]

Main article: Jaffna Kings in 2023

### 2024 season

[edit]

Main article: Jaffna Kings in 2024

### 2025 season

[edit]

In April 2025, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that franchise owners Lyca Group had been terminated ahead of the 2025 Lanka Premier League due to their failure to fulfill the obligations of a team owner in the Lanka Premier League.[13]

## Current squad

[edit]

* Sources: ESPNcricinfo,[14] ThePapare.com[15]
* Players with international caps are listed in bold.

No. | Name  | Nationality  | Date of birth (age)  | Batting style  | Bowling style  | Year signed  | Salary
(US$)  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Batters
28  | Avishka Fernando |  Sri Lanka |  (1998-04-05) 5 April 1998 (age 27) | Right-handed  | Right-arm medium-fast | 2024  | Direct signing  |
18  | Pathum Nissanka |  Sri Lanka |  (1998-05-18) 18 May 1998 (age 27) | Right-handed  | —  | 2024  | 40,000  |
49  | Alex Ross |  Australia |  (1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 (age 33) | Right-handed  | Right-arm off break | 2024  | 20,000  | Overseas
32  | Rilee Rossouw |  South Africa |  (1989-10-09) 9 October 1989 (age 35) | Left-handed  | Right-arm off break | 2024  | 60,000  | Overseas
| Ahan Wickramasinghe |  Sri Lanka |  (2001-09-02) 2 September 2001 (age 23) | Right-handed  | —  | 2024  | 5,000  |
All-rounders
97  | Fabian Allen |  West Indies |  (1995-05-07) 7 May 1995 (age 30) | Right-handed  | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2024  | 32,000  | Overseas
72  | Charith Asalanka |  Sri Lanka |  (1997-06-29) 29 June 1997 (age 28) | Left-handed  | Right-arm off break | 2023  | Retained  | Captain
75  | Dhananjaya de Silva |  Sri Lanka |  (1991-09-06) 6 September 1991 (age 33) | Right-handed  | Right-arm off break | 2024  | 50,000  |
77  | Azmatullah Omarzai |  Afghanistan |  (2000-03-24) 24 March 2000 (age 25) | Right-handed  | Right-arm medium-fast | 2024  | Direct signing  | Overseas
| Wanuja Sahan |  Sri Lanka |  (2003-06-17) 17 June 2003 (age 22) | Left-handed  | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2024  | 10,000  |
| Lahiru Samarakoon |  Sri Lanka |  (1997-03-03) 3 March 1997 (age 28) | Left-handed  | Right-arm fast-medium | 2024  | 13,000  |
Wicket-keepers
| Nishan Madushka |  Sri Lanka |  (1999-09-10) 10 September 1999 (age 25) | Right-handed  | —  | 2024  | 10,000  |
13  | Kusal Mendis |  Sri Lanka |  (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 30) | Right-handed  | Right-arm leg break | 2024  | Direct signing  |
| Vishad Randika |  Sri Lanka |  (1997-09-02) 2 September 1997 (age 27) | Right-handed  | Right-arm off break | 2024  | 5,000  |
Spin bowlers
| Murvin Abinash |  Sri Lanka |  (2000-06-18) 18 June 2000 (age 25) | Left-handed  | Right-arm off break | 2024  | 5,000  |
15  | Tabraiz Shamsi |  South Africa |  (1990-02-18) 18 February 1990 (age 35) | Right-handed  | Left-arm unorthodox spin | 2024  | Direct signing  | Overseas
| Theesan Vithushan |  Sri Lanka |  (2001-05-02) 2 May 2001 (age 24) | Right-handed  | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2024  | 5,000  |
26  | Vijayakanth Viyaskanth |  Sri Lanka |  (2001-12-05) 5 December 2001 (age 23) | Right-handed  | Right-arm leg break | 2023  | Retained  |
Pace bowlers
65  | Jason Behrendorff |  Australia |  (1990-04-20) 20 April 1990 (age 35) | Right-handed  | Left-arm fast-medium | 2024  | 50,000  | Overseas
| Asitha Fernando |  Sri Lanka |  (1997-07-31) 31 July 1997 (age 28) | Right-handed  | Right-arm medium-fast | 2024  | 40,000  |
40  | Pramod Madushan |  Sri Lanka |  (1993-12-14) 14 December 1993 (age 31) | Right-handed  | Right-arm medium-fast | 2024  | 20,000  |
| Eshan Malinga |  Sri Lanka |  (2001-02-04) 4 February 2001 (age 24) | Left-handed  | Right-arm fast-medium | 2024  | 13,000  |
| Arul Pragasam |  Sri Lanka |  (1993-11-06) 6 November 1993 (age 31) | Right-handed  | Right-arm medium | 2024  | 5,000  |
| Nisala Tharaka |  Sri Lanka |  (1991-04-20) 20 April 1991 (age 34) | Right-handed  | Right-arm medium-fast | 2024  | 5,000  |

## Administration and support staff

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Position  | Name

|

Director  | Ganeshan Vaheesan
Manager  | Charinda Fernando
Head coach  | Avishka Gunawardene
Assistant coach  | Mario Villavarayan
Assistant coach  | Hemang Badani
Batting coach  | Jehan Mubarak
Bowling coach  | Sachith Pathirana
Fielding coach  | Vimukthi Deshapriya

## Seasons

[edit]

Year  | League table standing  | Final standing

|
|

2020 | 3rd out of 5  | Champions
2021 | 1st out of 5  | Champions
2022 | 2nd out of 5  | Champions
2023 | 4th out of 5  | Playoffs
2024 | 2nd out of 5  | Champions

## Statistics

[edit]

### By season

[edit]

Year  | Matches  | Wins  | Losses  | No result  | Win%  | Position  | Summary

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

2020 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 67.00 | 3/5 | Champions
2021 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 72.72 | 1/5 | Champions
2022 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 80.00 | 2/5 | Champions
2023 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 33.33 | 4/5 | Eliminator
2024 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 63.63 | 2/5 | Champions
Total | 51 | 32 | 18 | 1 | 62.74

* Source: ESPNcricinfo[16]

### Individual records

[edit]

#### Captains

[edit]

No.  | Player  | From  | To  | Mat | Won  | Lost  | Tied  | NR | Win%

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | Thisara Perera | 2020  | 2023  | 45  | 28  | 16  | 0  | 1  | 61.64
2  | Charith Asalanka | 2024  | present  | 11  | 7  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 63.63

#### Most runs

[edit]

As of 13 May 2025
Runs  | Player  | Seasons

|
|

1300  | Avishka Fernando | 2020–2022; 2024
674  | Shoaib Malik | 2020–2023
640  | Thisara Perera | 2020–2023
607  | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 2021–2023
389  | Rilee Rossouw | 2024

* Source: CricInfo[17]

#### Highest individual score

[edit]

As of 19 August 2023
Runs  | Player  | Opposition  | Venue  | Date

|
|
|
|

100  | Avishka Fernando | Dambulla Giants | Hambantota | 21 December 2021
97* | Thisara Perera | Dambulla Viiking | 30 November 2020
92* | Avishka Fernando | Galle Gladiators | 27 November 2020
92  | Tom Kohler-Cadmore | Colombo Stars | Colombo | 16 December 2021
84  | Avishka Fernando | Galle Gladiators | Hambantota | 3 December 2020

* Source: CricInfo[18]

#### Most career wickets

[edit]

As of 19 August 2023
Wickets  | Player  | Seasons

|
|

33  | Maheesh Theekshana | 2020–2023
28  | Wanindu Hasaranga | 2020–2021
22  | Vijayakanth Viyaskanth | 2020–2023
16  | Dunith Wellalage | 2022–2023
15  | Multiple players

* Source: CricInfo[19]

#### Best figures in an innings

[edit]

As of 19 August 2023
Figures  | Player  | Opposition  | Venue  | Date

|
|
|
|

4/10  | Dunith Wellalage | Galle Titans | Pallekele | 4 August 2023
4/13  | Jayden Seales | Colombo Stars | Colombo | 16 December 2021
4/16  | Chathuranga de Silva | Dambulla Giants | 13 December 2021
4/22  | Binura Fernando | Dambulla Aura | Pallekele | 11 December 2022
4/25  | Maheesh Theekshana | Colombo Stars | Colombo | 10 December 2021

* Source: CricInfo[20]

## Team identity

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

### Anthem

[edit]

Year  | Anthem  | Artist(s)

|
|

2020  | Vaadaa Machan  | Lahiru Perera, Dinesh Gamage
2022  | Adidaa Macha  | Hana Shafa, Satheeshan, Krish Manoj

### Kit manufacturers and sponsors

[edit]

Year  | Kit manufacturer  | Shirt sponsor (front)  | Shirt sponsor (back)  | Chest branding  | Sleeve branding

|
|
|
|
|

2020  |  | Jura Trading  | BBK Partnership  | Code.org | Zestige, Pro You™
2021  | Lyca Mobile | Cycle Incense | NLB | Cycle Incense
2022  | SkyExch  | —  | Lyca Mobile
2023  | 1xBet | Wolf777  | Batbricks7  | SBC TV, Lyca Mobile
2024  | MelBat  | MGlion News  | —  | Monara TV, Jumbo365

## Honours

[edit]

### League

[edit]

* Lanka Premier League
* Champions (4): 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Sanyal, S. (21 October 2020). "LPL 2020: The complete player lists for all Lanka Premier League franchises". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
2. ^ "Cricket: Gayle, du Plessis, Afridi among marquee names picked in Lanka Premier League draft". scroll.in. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
3. ^ Jaffna Stallions (19 November 2020). "Jaffna Stallions Team Page". Jaffna Stallions.[permanent dead link]
4. ^ "Founder of Microsoft Ventures Rahul Sood joins Jaffna Stallions as co-owner". Lanka Business Online. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
5. ^ "Jaffna Stallions cricket team a winner for Calgary-born co-founder Rahul Sood". North Shore News. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
6. ^ "Seattle tech leaders including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella are investing in cricket teams". GeekWire. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
7. ^ "La Signore ft Dinesh - Vaadaa Machan | வாடா மச்சான் (Jaffna Stallions Theme Song) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
8. ^ "Jaffna Boys". Jaffna Boys. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
9. ^ "Stallions win first ever LPL title". Jaffna Stallions. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
10. ^ "Shoaib Malik powers Jaffna Stallions to inaugural LPL title win". CricketTimes.com. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
11. ^ "LPL terminates one more franchise". CricBuzz. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
12. ^ "Lyca Group Chairman Allirajah Subaskaran new owner of Jaffna Kings". DailyFT. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
13. ^ "SLC terminates Jaffna Kings and Colombo Strikers ahead of LPL 2025". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
14. ^ "Pathirana, Udana, Janat the most expensive picks in LPL 2024 auction". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
15. ^ "LPL 2024 Auction: Full Squads of all 5 Teams". ThePapare. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
16. ^ "Lanka Premier League Cricket Team and Records | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
17. ^ "Most career runs". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
18. ^ "Highest individual score". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
19. ^ "Most career wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
20. ^ "Best bowling figures in an innings". Retrieved 20 October 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Jaffna Kings

Lists|

* Players

Home ground|

* Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium

Captains|

* Thisara Perera (2020–)

Coaches|

* Thilina Kandamby (2020–)
* Mario Villavarayan (2020–)
* Sachith Pathirana (2020–)

Seasons|

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Honours|

* 2020 Lanka Premier League

* v
* t
* e

Jaffna Kings - current squad

* Asalanka (c)
* Abinash
* Allen
* Behrendorff
* de Silva
* Fernando, Asitha
* Fernando, Avishka
* Madushan
* Madushka
* Malinga
* Mendis
* Nissanka
* Omarzai
* Randika
* Ross
* Rossouw
* Samarakoon
* Shamsi
* Tharaka
* Viyaskanth
* Wickramasinghe

* Head Coach: Avishka Gunawardene
* Assistant Coach: Mario Villavarayan

* v
* t
* e

Lanka Premier League

Seasons|

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Finals|

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Teams|

* Colombo Strikers
* Dambulla Sixers
* Galle Marvels
* Jaffna Kings
* Kandy Falcons

Venues|

* MRICS Hambantota
* RDIS Dambulla
* PICS Kandy
* RPS Colombo

Lists|

* Centuries
* Five-wicket hauls

* Category
* Commons
* WikiProject

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