Royal Riders Punjab are the Legends League Cricket 2026 champions, crushing Konark Suryas Odisha by 41 runs in the Final at Haldwani. As a result, Danushka Gunathilaka earned Player of the Match for a sensational unbeaten 112 off 63 balls with twelve fours and six sixes, carrying his bat through the entire innings.
Batting first, Royal Riders Punjab posted a commanding 188/6 in 20 overs at a run rate of 9.4, built almost entirely around Gunathilaka’s masterclass. He was involved in every single partnership of the innings. Meanwhile, Malinda Pushpakumara (2/36) and Ankit Rajpoot (2/39) were the only bowlers to make an impression for KSO, though both went at close to 9 an over.
In reply, Konark Suryas Odisha never got going. Bavanaka Sandeep fought hard with 41 off 29 balls, but the required rate climbed too quickly after a disastrous start. Angelo Perera was outstanding with the ball, picking up 2/21 in 4 overs, while six different RRP bowlers chipped in with at least one wicket. KSO were restricted to 147/8, and Royal Riders Punjab lifted the LLC 2026 trophy.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Konark Suryas Odisha vs Royal Riders Punjab, Final, Legends League Cricket 2026 |
| Venue | Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Haldwani |
| Result | Royal Riders Punjab won by 41 runs |
| Royal Riders Punjab | 188/6 (20 overs) |
| Konark Suryas Odisha | 147/8 (20 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Danushka Gunathilaka (112* off 63, 12×4, 6×6) |
| Toss | Royal Riders Punjab batted first |
First Innings Highlights
Here are Key Moments from 1st Innings:
Shahzad and Gunathilaka Set the Tone in the Powerplay
Mohammad Shahzad and Danushka Gunathilaka gave Royal Riders Punjab a flying start in the Final, putting together a 51-run opening partnership in 32 balls. Shahzad struck 20 off 17 balls with four fours before Jesal Karia had him caught by Kashyap Prajapati at 51/1 in the 6th over. RRP scored 64 runs in the powerplay, a strong foundation for what was to come. However, Sarul Kanwar fell cheaply for 7 off 3 balls (1 six), caught by Faiz Ahmed Khan off Saurin Thakar at 64/2 in the 7th over. Malinda Pushpakumara then bowled captain Asghar Afghan for 3 at 74/3 in the 9th over.
Gunathilaka’s Century: 112 Not Out Off 63 Balls
While wickets fell around him, Gunathilaka stood firm at the other end and delivered one of the greatest innings in LLC history. His 112 not out off 63 balls featured twelve fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 177.78. Remarkably, he was involved in all seven partnerships of the innings, contributing runs alongside every single batter who walked in.
After Afghan’s departure at 74/3, Gunathilaka found a willing partner in Rishi Dhawan. Their 40-run stand in 25 balls for the fourth wicket pushed the score past 100. Dhawan contributed 15 off 11 balls (2 fours) before Pushpakumara bowled him at 114/4 in the 13th over. Subsequently, Samiullah Shinwari added 38 runs in 28 balls with Gunathilaka for the fifth wicket, taking the score to 152/5 in the 17th over. Shinwari made 8 off 11 before Rajpoot had him caught by Kashyap.
In the death overs, Thisara Perera provided quick runs with 10 off 5 balls (2 fours) before Rajpoot bowled him at 176/6 in the 19th over. Angelo Perera then added an unbeaten 5 off 4 as RRP finished on a commanding 188/6. Gunathilaka faced 63 of the team’s 120 deliveries, meaning he was on strike for more than half the innings. Of his 112 runs, 84 came from boundaries (48 from fours, 36 from sixes). For KSO, only Saurin Thakar (1/22 in 3 overs at 7.30) offered any real control with the ball.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Danushka Gunathilaka | 112* runs (63 balls, 12×4, 6×6) |
| Best Bowler | Saurin Thakar | 3-0-22-1 |
Second Innings Highlights
Here are Key Moments from 2nd Innings:
KSO’s Top Order Crumbles Under Pressure
Chasing 189 to win the title, Konark Suryas Odisha made the worst possible start. Anureet Singh bowled Kennar Lewis for just 1 off 5 balls at 9/1 in the 2nd over. Captain Jermaine Blackwood then fell for 5 off 11 (1 four), caught by Asghar Afghan off Rishi Dhawan at 65/2 in the 4th over. However, that scoreline is deceptive since 19 extras (including 12 wides and 2 no-balls) significantly inflated the total. Furthermore, Kashyap Prajapati fell for 23 off 20 to Chaturanga de Silva at 70/3 in the 6th over. Three wickets down inside the powerplay, and the required rate was already over 10 an over.
Sandeep Fights Alone Before Angelo Perera Strikes
Bavanaka Sandeep played the most determined innings of the KSO chase, scoring 41 off 29 balls at a strike rate of 141.38. He was the only batter to truly settle in, and his partnership with Faiz Ahmed Khan (13 off 11) added some stability in the middle overs. Nevertheless, Angelo Perera dismissed Sandeep, caught by Seekkuge Prasanna, at 80/4 in the 8th over. Then, captain Asghar Afghan himself picked up the wicket of Faiz, caught by Angelo Perera, at 100/5 in the 11th over. By that point, KSO still needed 89 off 57 balls with half the batting order gone.
RRP’s Bowling Unit Seals the Title
Angelo Perera struck again, bowling Jesal Karia for 5 at 122/6 in the 16th over. Just two balls later, Seekkuge Prasanna removed Malinda Pushpakumara for 8 (caught by Anureet Singh) at 124/7. Two wickets in two balls effectively killed any remaining hopes. Kenan contributed 15 off 13 before Aftab Alam had him caught by Thisara Perera at 138/8 in the 19th over. The unbeaten ninth-wicket pair of Ankit Rajpoot (10 not out) and Saurin Thakar (7 not out) added a few late runs, but KSO finished well short at 147/8.
Six different RRP bowlers shared the wickets, highlighting how complete their team performance was in the Final. Angelo Perera was the standout with 2/21 in 4 overs at an economy of 5.20. Additionally, Anureet Singh (1/8 in 2 overs at 4.00) and Rishi Dhawan (1/14 in 3 overs at 4.70) ensured there was no escape for the KSO batters. Royal Riders Punjab lifted the LLC 2026 trophy with a dominant all-round display, capping off a memorable campaign led by Gunathilaka’s match-winning century.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Bavanaka Sandeep | 41 runs (29 balls, 0×4, 0×6) |
| Best Bowler | Angelo Perera | 4-0-21-2 |
