Vijay Shankar Signs with Kandy Royals After Retirement from Indian Cricket

Vijay Shankar has officially retired from all forms of Indian cricket and signed with Kandy Royals for the upcoming Lanka Premier League season. The all-rounder, who last played in the IPL in 2025, expressed gratitude for his cricket journey and is now set to explore new opportunities overseas. His move marks a significant transition as he joins other marquee players in the league, aiming to make an impact in the 2026 season. Discover more about Shankar's future plans and the marquee signings for the league.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 26, 2026, 22:21 IST

Vijay Shankar's New Journey in the Lanka Premier League

Following his recent announcement of retirement from all formats of Indian cricket, Vijay Shankar has shared his future plans, signing with Kandy Royals for the upcoming season of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2026. The tournament is scheduled to commence on July 17, culminating in the final on August 8. Shankar is among four key signings for the Royals, which also includes renowned England all-rounder Moeen Ali, alongside Sri Lankan icons Wanindu Hasaranga and Angelo Mathews.

With this move, Shankar becomes the third Indian player to participate in the league, joining the ranks of Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel, who were part of the inaugural season in 2020 with the Kandy Tuskers. All six teams have revealed their marquee signings ahead of the player draft set for June 1. Other notable international players joining the league include Shakib Al Hasan and Sahibzada Farhan.

Marquee Signings for Lanka Premier League Season 6

Kandy Royals: Vijay Shankar (India), Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka), Moeen Ali (England)

Dambulla Sixers: Reeza Hendricks (South Africa), Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka), Dushmantha Chameera (Sri Lanka), Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)

SC Jaffna Kings: Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), Dunith Wellalage (Sri Lanka), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (Sri Lanka)

Galle Gallants: Eshan Malinga (Sri Lanka), Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka)

Colombo Kaps: Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka), Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Shankar's Retirement Announcement

On May 22, Shankar took to social media to announce his retirement from domestic cricket and the IPL, expressing his desire to explore opportunities in overseas leagues. He had gone unsold during the 2026 IPL mega auction, with his last appearance in the league being in 2025 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Since the 2019 World Cup, he has not represented India. In his heartfelt message, Shankar stated, "Cricket is my life. I started playing at the age of 10, and after 25 years, I feel grateful to have played at every level. Representing my country has been one of my proudest moments. I have decided to retire from domestic cricket and the IPL to pursue new opportunities. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love. I am eternally grateful." For context, Indian players must retire from all forms of Indian cricket to participate in overseas T20 leagues.