Jaffna Kings

Jaffna Kings
Nickname(s)Kings of The North
LeagueLanka Premier League
Personnel
CaptainCharith Asalanka
CoachAvishka Gunawardene
OwnerSubaskaran Allirajah (Lyca Group)
Team information
CityJaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka
Colours  Blue
  Gold
Founded2020: Jaffna Stallions
2021: Jaffna Kings
History
LPL wins4 (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

2020 season

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

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

Main article: Jaffna Kings in 2022

2023 season

Main article: Jaffna Kings in 2023

2024 season

Main article: Jaffna Kings in 2024

2025 season

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

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

Administration and support staff

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

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

By season

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

Individual records

Captains

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

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

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

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

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

Anthem

Year Anthem Artist(s)
2020 Vaadaa Machan Lahiru Perera, Dinesh Gamage
2022 Adidaa Macha Hana Shafa, Satheeshan, Krish Manoj

Kit manufacturers and sponsors

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

League

References

  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.
  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. 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.


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