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Dambulla Sixers

{{Short description|Dambulla based franchise cricket team of the Lanka Premier League}}

{{Use Oxford spelling|date=December 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox cricket team

| name = Dambulla Sixers

| alt_name =

| image = Dambulla Sixers logo.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| nickname =

| league = Lanka Premier League

| captain = Mohammad Nabi

| coach = Rangana Herath

| city = Dambulla, Central Province, Sri Lanka

| colours ={{colourbox|FFF000}} Yellow

| owner = Sequoia Consultants, Inc.

| founded = 2020: Dambulla Viiking
2021: Dambulla Giants
2022: Dambulla Aura
2024: Dambulla Sixers

| dissolved =

| ground =Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla

| capacity = 16,800

|title1 = LPL

|title1wins = 0

| t_pattern_la =

| t_pattern_b =

| t_pattern_ra =

| t_pattern_pants =

| t_leftarm = 0000C8

| t_body = 0000C8

| t_rightarm = FFF000

| t_pants = 0000C8

| website =

| current =

}}

Dambulla Sixers, previously known as Dambulla Aura, Dambulla Giants, Dambulla Viking, and Dambulla Thunders are a franchise Twenty20 cricket team based in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, that competes in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

In June 2021, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) terminated the franchise ahead of the 2021 Lanka Premier League, due to financial issues.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/117939/slc-approves-termination-of-colombo-kings-and-dambulla-viiking-lanka-premier-league-cricket |title=SLC approves termination of Colombo Kings and Dambulla Viiking |work=CricBuzz |access-date=26 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lpl-2021-22-colombo-kings-and-dambulla-viiking-terminate-contracts-withdraw-from-lanka-premier-league-2021-1267973 |title=Colombo Kings, Dambulla Viiking terminate contracts, withdraw from LPL 2021 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=26 June 2021}} In September 2021, the team changed their name to Dambulla Giants after changing owners.{{Cite web|title=IPG announces new owner for Dambulla Giants|url=https://www.ft.lk/sports/IPG-announces-new-owner-for-Dambulla-Giants/23-722590|url-status=live|access-date=4 September 2021|website=DailyFT|language=en-gb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904035503/https://www.ft.lk/sports/IPG-announces-new-owner-for-Dambulla-Giants/23-722590 |archive-date=4 September 2021 }} Then, prior to the 2022 season, Aura Lanka brought the franchise and changed its name to Dambulla Aura.{{cite news |title=Aura Lanka Group secures ownership of Dambulla Team in LPL |url=https://archives1.dailynews.lk/2022/12/06/business/292514/aura-lanka-group-secures-ownership-dambulla-team-lpl |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=Daily News |date=6 December 2023 |language=en}}

Seasons

class="wikitable"
Year

!League standing

!Final standing

2020

| 2nd out of 5

| Semi-finalists

2021

| 4th out of 5

| Playoffs

2022

| 5th out of 5

| Group stage

2023

| 1st out of 5

|style="background:silver;"|Runners up

2024

| 5th out of 5

| Group stage

=2024 season=

In 2024, the team was purchased by Imperial Sports Group, who renamed it Dambulla Thunders.{{cite news |title=Dambulla franchise rebranded as Dambulla Thunders for LPL 2024 |url=https://www.thepapare.com/dambulla-franchise-rebranded-as-dambulla-thunders-for-lpl-2024/ |access-date=26 April 2024 |work=ThePapare |date=21 April 2024}} Tamim Rahman, a co-owner of Dambulla Thunders, a British national of Bangladeshi origin, was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport a day after the 2024 LPL player auction. The special investigating unit for preventing sports-related offences of the Ministry of Sports made the arrest.{{cite news |last1=Sanjeewa |first1=Kanishka |title=Team Owner of Dambulla Thunders arrested for match-fixing charges |url=https://www.thepapare.com/team-owner-of-dambulla-thunders-arrested-for-match-fixing-charges/ |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=ThePapare |date=22 May 2024}} Following the arrest, LPL terminated its contract with Dambulla Thunders with immediate effect.{{cite news |title=LPL terminates contract with Dambulla Thunders following owner's arrest |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-news-lpl-terminates-contract-with-dambulla-thunders-following-owners-arrest-1434899 |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=22 May 2024 |language=en}} Innovative Production Group (IPG), the organisers of LPL announced, the fifth edition of the league will continue as planned despite the events related to Dambulla Thunders. IPG further stated that the Dambulla franchise will participate in the league under new ownership.{{cite news |title=2024 LPL to go ahead as scheduled; Dambulla franchise to receive new ownership |url=https://www.adaderana.lk/sports/10354/-2024-lpl-to-go-ahead-as-scheduled-dambulla-franchise-to-receive-new-ownership |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=Ada Derana |date=23 May 2024 |language=en}} Incidentally, Viranjith Thambugala, chairman of Aura Lanka, the previous owner of Dambulla franchise, was arrested by Sri Lanka Police over allegations of financial fraud on the same day.{{cite news |title=Aura Lanka chairman Viranjith Thambugala arrested |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2024/05/22/aura-lanka-chairman-viranjith-thambugala-arrested/ |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=Newswire |date=22 May 2024}}

Current squad

  • Sources: ESPNcricinfo,{{cite web |title=Pathirana, Udana, Janat the most expensive picks in LPL 2024 auction |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/live-blog/lpl-2024-auction-matheesha-pathirana-isuru-udana-karim-janat-the-most-expensive-picks-1434638 |website=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 May 2024}} ThePapare.com,{{cite news |title=LPL 2024 Auction: Full Squads of all 5 Teams |url=https://www.thepapare.com/lpl-2024-auction-full-squads-of-all-5-teams/ |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=ThePapare.com |date=21 May 2024}} Newswire.com{{cite news |title=LPL 2024 begins on July 1st : Final squads announced |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2024/06/25/lpl-2024-begins-on-july-1st-final-squads-announced/ |access-date=25 June 2024 |work=Newswire.com |date=26 June 2024}}
  • Players with international caps are listed in bold.

class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
style="background:#0000C8; color:yellow; text-align:center;"|No.

! style="background:#0000C8; color:yellow; text-align:center;"|Name

! style="background:#0000C8; color:yellow; text-align:center;"|Nationality

! style="background:#0000C8; color:yellow; text-align:center;"|Date of birth

! style="background:#0000C8; color:yellow; text-align:center;"|Batting style

! style="background:#0000C8; color:yellow; text-align:center;"|Bowling style

! style="background:#0000C8; color:yellow; text-align:center;"|Year signed

! style="background:#0000C8; color:yellow; text-align:center;"|Salary
(US$)

! style="background:#0000C8; color:yellow; text-align:center;"|Notes

colspan="9" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center;" | Batters
style="text-align:center;" |80

|Mark Chapman

|{{cr|NZ}}

|{{Birth date and age|1994|6|27|df=y}}

|Left handed

|Slow left-arm orthodox

|2024

|Direct signing

|Overseas

|Nuwanidu Fernando

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1999|10|13|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm off break

|2024

|34,000

|

style="text-align:center;" |17

|Reeza Hendricks

|{{cr|SA}}

|{{Birth date and age|1989|8|14|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm off break

|2024

|Direct signing

|Overseas

style="text-align:center;" |77

|Towhid Hridoy

|{{cr|BAN}}

|{{Birth date and age|2000|12|04|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm off break

|2024

|Direct signing

|Overseas

style="text-align:center;" |18

|Ibrahim Zadran

|{{cr|AFG}}

|{{Birth date and age|2001|12|12|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm medium-fast

|2024

|Direct signing

|Overseas

colspan="9" style="background: #DCDCDC" align="center" | Wicket-keepers
style="text-align:center;" |55

|Kusal Janith Perera

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1990|8|17|df=y}}

|Left handed

|{{n/a}}

|2024

|Direct signing

|

|Ranesh Silva

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|2002|1|24|df=y}}

|Right handed

|{{n/a}}

|2024

|5,000

|

|Lahiru Udara

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1993|11|27|df=y}}

|Right handed

|{{n/a}}

|2024

|14,000

|

colspan="9" style="background: #DCDCDC" align="center" | All-rounders
style="text-align:center;" |4

|Akila Dananjaya

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1993|10|4|df=y}}

|Left handed

|Right-arm off break, Right-arm leg break

|2024

|20,000

|

|Sonal Dinusha

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|2000|12|4|df=y}}

|Left handed

|Slow left-arm orthodox

|2024

|6,000

|

style="text-align:center;" |70

|Danushka Gunathilaka

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1991|3|17|df=y}}

|Left handed

|Right-arm off break

|2024

|22,000

|

style="text-align:center" |34

|Dushan Hemantha

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1994|05|24|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm leg break

|2023

|Retained

|

|Sachitha Jayathilake

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1997|2|24|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm leg break

|2024

|Direct signing

|

|Lahiru Madushanka

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1992|9|12|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm fast-medium

|2024

|20,000

|

style="text-align:center;" |7

|Mohammad Nabi

|{{cr|AFG}}

|{{Birth date and age|1985|1|1|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm off break

|2024

|Direct signing

|Overseas; Captain

|Nimesh Vimukthi

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1997|5|7|df=y}}

|Left handed

|Slow left-arm orthodox

|2024

|Direct signing

|

|Chamindu Wickramasinghe

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|2002|9|6|df=y}}

|Left handed

|Right-arm medium

|2024

|Direct signing

|

colspan="9" style="background: #DCDCDC" align="center" | Spin bowlers
style="text-align:center" |92

|Praveen Jayawickrama

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1998|09|30|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Slow left-arm orthodox

|2023

|Retained

|

colspan="9" style="background: #DCDCDC" align="center" | Pace bowlers
style="text-align:center;" |98

|Dilshan Madushanka

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|2000|9|18|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Left-arm fast-medium

|2024

|Direct signing

|

|Asanka Manoj

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1997|3|23|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm fast-medium

|2024

|Direct signing

|

style="text-align:center;" |63

|Nuwan Pradeep

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1986|10|19|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm fast-medium

|2024

|36,000

|

style="text-align:center;" |90

|Mustafizur Rahman

|{{cr|BAN}}

|{{Birth date and age|1995|09|6|df=y}}

|Left handed

|Left-arm fast-medium

|2024

|Direct signing

|Overseas

style="text-align:center;" |53

|Nuwan Thushara

|{{cr|SL}}

|{{Birth date and age|1994|8|6|df=y}}

|Right handed

|Right-arm medium-fast

|2024

|Direct signing

|

Administration and support staff

class="wikitable"

!Position

!Name

Head Coach

|Rangana Herath

Mentor

|Roshan Mahanama

Bowling Coach

|Chamila Gamage

Fielding Coach

|Ruwin Peiris

Batting Coach

|Thilina Kandamby

Captains

class="wikitable"style="text-align:center;"
No.

!Player

!From

!To

!{{Tooltip|Mat|No. of Matches as Captain}}

!Won

!Lost

!Tied

!{{Tooltip|NR|No result}}

!{{Tooltip|Win%|Win percentage}}

1

!style="text-align:left;| Dasun Shanaka

|2020

|2022

|24

|9

|13

|0

|2

|37.50

2

!style="text-align:left;| Niroshan Dickwella

|2021

|2021

|2

|1

|1

|0

|0

|50.00

3

!style="text-align:left;| Sikandar Raza

|2022

|2022

|1

|1

|0

|0

|0

|100.00

4

!style="text-align:left;| Kusal Mendis

|2023

|2023

|8

|5

|2

|1

|0

|68.75

5

!style="text-align:left;| Dhananjaya de Silva

|2023

|2023

|2

|2

|0

|0

|0

|100.00

6

!style="text-align:left;|Mohammad Nabi

|2024

|present

|8

|3

|4

|1

|0

|37.50

As of 16 July 2024

Statistics

=Most runs=

{{Updated|19 August 2023}}

class="wikitable"
Runs

!Player

!Seasons

544

| Dasun Shanaka || 2020–2022

421

| Niroshan Dickwella || 2020–2021

301

| Phil Salt || 2021

239

| Avishka Fernando || 2023

227

| Angelo Perera || 2020

  • Source: ESPNcricinfo{{cite news |title= Most career runs |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-runs-career/dambulla-aura-6785/twenty20-matches-6 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=20 October 2020}}

=Highest individual score=

{{updated|8 July 2024}}

class="wikitable"
Runs

!Player

!Opposition

!Venue

!Date

102*

| Kusal Perera || Jaffna Kings || rowspan="3"|Pallekele|| {{dts|format=dmy|2024|07|03}}

91*

| Mark Chapman || Kandy Falcons || {{dts|format=dmy|2024|07|01}}

87

| Kusal Mendis || Colombo Strikers || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|August|05}}

rowspan="3"|80

| Shevon Daniel || Galle Gladiators || Colombo|| {{dts|format=dmy|2022|12|17}}

Reeza HendricksJaffna Kingsrowspan="2"| Dambulla{{dts|format=dmy|2024|7|6}}
Kusal PereraColombo Strikers{{dts|format=dmy|2024|7|7}}

  • Source: ESPNcricinfo{{cite news |title=Highest individual score |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/team/batting-most-runs-innings/dambulla-aura-6785/twenty20-matches-6 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=20 October 2020}}

= Most wickets =

{{updated|19 August 2023}}

class="wikitable"
Wickets

!Player

!Seasons

15

| Imran Tahir

|2021

13

| Ramesh Mendis

|2020–2022

12

| Noor Ahmad

|2022–2023

10

| Dhananjaya de Silva

|2023

10

| Nuwan Pradeep

|2021

  • Source: ESPNcricinfo[https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=865;team=6785;type=trophy ESPNcricinfo], Last Updated: 20 December 2021

Kit manufacturers and sponsors

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%"
style="width:5%;"|Year

! style="width:20%;"|Kit manufacturer

! style="width:25%;"|Shirt sponsor (front)

! style="width:25%;"|Shirt sponsor (back)

! style="width:25%;"|Chest branding

2020

|rowspan=5|

|Planet Hollywood

|

|Life Bottled Water

2021

|colspan="2"|Hamro

|

2022

|colspan="2" |Tiger Exchange News{{cite news|date=12 December 2022 |work=Asian News International |title=Tiger Exchange News are official sponsors of Dambulla Aura in the ongoing Lanka Premier League T20 |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/tiger-exchange-news-are-official-sponsors-of-dambulla-aura-in-the-ongoing-lanka-premier-league-t2020221212160823/}}

|Aura Lanka

2023

|Babu88 Sports{{cite news|title=Babu88Sports backs Dambulla Aura as title sponsors in LPL |date=29 July 2023 |work=Newswire |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2023/07/29/babu88sports-backs-dambulla-aura-as-title-sponsors-in-lpl/}}

|Kheloyar

|Aura Airlines Sri Lanka

2024

|Mostplay.news

|Sequoia Consultants

|Harriet

See also

References

{{reflist}}

{{Dambulla Sixers}}

{{Dambulla Sixers squad}}

{{Lanka Premier League}}

Category:2020 establishments in Sri Lanka

Category:Cricket clubs established in 2020

Category:Lanka Premier League teams

Category:Dambulla Aura

{{Sri Lanka-cricket-team-stub}}