Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane and Kushal Bhurtel have been picked for the Lanka Premier League 2026, but the three Nepal players are set to miss the early part of the tournament due to national-team duty.
Jaffna Kings selected Dipendra in the Associate Stars category and Sandeep in the Classic category during Sunday’s player draft. Colombo Kaps picked Kushal in the Associate Stars category.
🇳🇵 Dipendra Singh Airee to Jaffna Kings! 👑
The Nepal all-rounder has been picked in the Associate Stars category for the Lanka Premier League 2026 and is set to receive USD 15,000. 🏏🌟#JaffnaKings #LPL2026 #DipendraSinghAiree #NepalCricket pic.twitter.com/GJq1v3cxTe
— cricnepal.com 🇳🇵 🦏 (@cricnepal) June 2, 2026
Sandeep is set to receive USD 20,000, while Dipendra and Kushal will receive USD 15,000 each.
The LPL 2026 will run from July 17 to August 8. Nepal, however, will be in the Netherlands in July for their Cricket World Cup League 2 series. Nepal are scheduled to play Namibia on July 21, the Netherlands on July 23, Namibia again on July 27, and the Netherlands again on July 29.
🇳🇵 Sandeep Lamichhane to Jaffna Kings! 👑
The Nepal spinner has been picked in the Classic category for the Lanka Premier League 2026 and is set to receive USD 20,000. 🏏💰#JaffnaKings #LPL2026 #SandeepLamichhane #NepalCricket pic.twitter.com/9Bbv2zt10o
— cricnepal.com 🇳🇵 🦏 (@cricnepal) June 2, 2026
That schedule means Dipendra, Sandeep and Kushal are expected to miss the opening matches of the Sri Lankan franchise tournament.
Dipendra’s selection continues his rise as one of Nepal’s leading T20 allrounders. He brings finishing power, off-spin and elite fielding to Jaffna. Sandeep adds experience and wicket-taking threat as a leg-spinner.
Kushal, listed as an allrounder, joins a Colombo Kaps squad led by Kusal Mendis. The squad also includes New Zealand allrounder Jimmy Neesham.
🇳🇵 Kushal Bhurtel is headed to the Lanka Premier League 2026!
The Nepal batter has been picked by Colombo Kaps in the Associate Stars category. 🌟🏏#ColomboKaps #LPL2026 #KushalBhurtel #NepalCricket pic.twitter.com/Bmkr4JjYWa
— cricnepal.com 🇳🇵 🦏 (@cricnepal) June 2, 2026
Jaffna Kings, captained by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, are one of the most successful sides in LPL history. They have won the tournament four times, including titles in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024. The team played as Jaffna Stallions in 2020.
Nepal’s former head coach Pubudu Dassanayake is also involved in this season’s LPL as part of Galle Gallants.
Other Associate Stars selections included Scotland’s Brandon McMullen, who joined Kandy Royals, and UAE’s Haider Ali, who was picked by Galle Gallants.
