Colombo Kaps have appointed Pathum Nissanka as their captain for the 2026 LPL season, the franchise confirmed at a media briefing in Colombo this morning.
Nissanka, 26, succeeds Dimuth Karunaratne, who announced his retirement from all forms of franchise cricket at the close of the 2025 season. The opening batter has been a mainstay of the Kaps' top order since their inception and is widely seen as the natural successor.
"I'm honoured to lead this group. There's enormous talent in this dressing room and the responsibility now is to channel it. We have unfinished business — second place last year was painful." — Pathum Nissanka
Head coach Mahela Jayawardene was effusive in his support of the appointment.
"Pathum has been preparing for this for two years. He understands the rhythms of the franchise, the players, the city. He's ready."
Nissanka's first task will be to oversee the integration of the team's three overseas signings ahead of the opener on 8 July. The Kaps will also unveil their new vice-captain in the coming weeks, with the leadership decision said to be between Charith Asalanka and Maheesh Theekshana.
Captaincy context
Nissanka becomes the third Kaps captain in the franchise's history, joining Angelo Mathews (2023) and Karunaratne (2024–25). He is among the youngest captains in the 2026 field.
