Vijay Shankar Joins Kandy Royals for LPL 2026 Season

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-05-27

Former Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar has found his next home in cricket just days after announcing his retirement from domestic cricket in India. The Lankan Premier League franchise Kandy Royals confirmed his signing ahead of the LPL 2026 season. It’s a quick turnaround for the Tamil Nadu cricketer who only announced his retirement on May 22. Shankar will feature as the overseas star for Kandy Royals in what’s his first competitive cricket outside India’s domestic circuit in a big way. The LPL took to social media to confirm the signing, posting a video message welcoming him to the franchise. ### Kandy Royals Build a Star-Studded Squad Vijay Shankar isn’t the only high-profile name Kandy Royals have brought in. Ahead of the LPL 2026 player draft, scheduled for June 1 in Colombo, the franchise has secured several marquee signings. England all-rounder Moeen Ali has been signed as the overseas icon. Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga comes in as the local icon. Angelo Mathews joins as the local star. That gives Kandy Royals a well-rounded squad with a blend of international experience and local knowledge. The Kandy franchise has a history of attracting Indian talent. In the inaugural LPL edition in 2020, the team — then known as Kandy Tuskers — had Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel in their ranks. Shankar’s signing continues that tradition.  ### Vijay Shankar’s Career and His Retirement Decision Vijay Shankar made his international debut for India against Sri Lanka in 2018. He went on to represent the country in 12 ODIs and nine T20Is. His most memorable moments in the blue jersey came during the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. There, he took 2/22 against Pakistan. His final international appearance came in that same tournament against the West Indies. Over the years, Shankar has played for several franchises in the IPL. Those include Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, and most recently Chennai Super Kings in 2025. He scored 1,233 runs and picked up nine wickets across his IPL career. That’s a solid record for a player who could bat anywhere in the order and bowl handy medium pace. His retirement announcement came through an emotional post on social media. He signed off by calling himself “Your 3D Cricketer” — a reference to the description that followed him since his World Cup selection in 2019. In his statement, he said he wanted to “pursue new opportunities and play more cricket.” The LPL signing makes clear he meant it literally. ### LPL 2026 Returns After a Year’s Gap The Lanka Premier League is returning after a break. Sri Lanka Cricket postponed the 2025 edition to focus on preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosted with India. The tournament is now set to begin on July 17, 2026, with the final scheduled for August 18. Several big names are already confirmed for the tournament. Here’s a quick look at some key signings: - Defending champions Jaffna Kings have signed Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed. - Colombo Kaps will feature James Neesham and Ben McDermott alongside Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. - Dambulla Sixers signed Sahibzada Farhan and Reeza Hendricks. - Galle Gallants brought in Rassie van der Dussen alongside Dasun Shanaka and Eshan Malinga. For Shankar, the LPL represents a fresh chapter. At 33, he’s not done with cricket — just done with the domestic circuit that shaped him over 25 years. Kandy Royals will be hoping his experience and versatility give them an edge when the tournament gets underway in July. It’s a smart move for both sides. Shankar gets to extend his playing career on an international stage. Kandy Royals get a proven performer who can contribute with bat, ball, and in the field. That’s the kind of depth that wins tournaments.