The Dambulla Sixers have promoted five academy graduates to their 2026 senior squad, in what represents a notable shift in the franchise's roster-building strategy.
The five players — Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Janith Liyanage, Sahan Arachchige, and Vishwa Fernando — have collectively played 18 academy matches over the past 18 months. All five sign two-year contracts.
The strategy shift
The Sixers' director of cricket, Hashan Tillakaratne, was direct about the motivation:
"We've been the franchise that pays the most for overseas signings every cycle. We're proud of those players. But long-term franchise health is about a homegrown core. This is a deliberate reset."
The decision means the Sixers will field only three overseas players in 2026, down from five in 2025 and the lowest of any franchise.
The five
- Dilshan Madushanka — left-arm seam, 23. Quietly impressive in the SLC A tour of Bangladesh.
- Asitha Fernando — right-arm seam, 27. The most experienced of the five; returns to franchise cricket after two years.
- Janith Liyanage — middle-order batter, 25.
- Sahan Arachchige — top-order, 22. Captained the academy in 2025.
- Vishwa Fernando — left-arm seam, 30. The mentor of the group.
What it means for the table
It will require an adjustment of expectations. The Sixers entered 2025 as one of the favourites and finished fourth. This squad is built for the medium term; mid-table in 2026 followed by a stronger 2027 would, on the franchise's own assessment, be acceptable.
