(Image Source: Lanka Premiere League)
LANKA PREMIER LEAGUE 2023
Every boundary in the game of cricket is backed by the roar of a euphoric crowd, and every wicket causes an outburst of screams. The Lanka Premier League is one instance that sticks out as a great tribute to the enthusiasm of the game.
The fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League is set to exceed all standards. The buzz for the season is growing and the cricketing world is ready to brace itself for another thrilling campaign. This league is more than just a competition since it combines well-known international stars with the best players Sri Lanka has to provide. It is a celebration of the game we love.
WHAT IS THE LANKA PREMIER LEAGUE?
The Lanka Premier League also known as LPL is a prestigious Twenty20 cricket competition in Sri Lanka
The LPL hosts five teams for its fourth season, which runs from July 30 to August 20, 2023. This tournament, which is put on by Sri Lanka Cricket, features fast-paced cricket action and draws attention from all around the world.
In replacement of the drafting format, an auction approach was used to choose players for this season. Jaffna Kings, the defending leaders, are keen on retaining their crown in the face of formidable opposition. The 2023 Lanka Premier League is keenly anticipated by cricket fans throughout the world for another action-packed spectacle.
WHICH TEAMS ARE PLAYING IN THE LANKA PREMIER LEAGUE 2023?
The season will feature five teams:
- The Colombo Strikers, led by Niroshan Dickwella.
- Dambulla Aura, headed by Kusal Mendis
- Galle Titans, commanded by Dasun Shanaka
- B-Love Kandy, led by Wanindu Hasaranga
- The reigning champions Jaffna Kings, led by veteran Sri Lankan allrounder Thisara Perera.
The fourth edition will also showcase notable international stars including David Miller, Babar Azam, Chris Lynn, and Shakib Al Hasan, as well as prominent Sri Lankan players such as Mahesh Theekshana, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Angelo Mathews, who will thrill fans in the competition.
WHAT ARE THE SQUADS FOR LPL 2023?
Colombo Strikers:
Babar Azam, Matheesha Pathirana, Naseem Shah, Chamika Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Niroshan Dickwella, Wahab Riaz, Lakshan Sandakan, Nipun Dananjaya, Movin Subasinghe, Lahiru Udara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Eshan Malinga, Shashika Dulshan, Nuwanidu Fernando, Iftikhar Ahmed, Lorcan Tucker, Kavishka Anjula, Ramesh Mendis, Mohammad Nawaz, Yashodha Lanka, Angelo Perera
Dambulla Aura:
Matthew Wade, Kusal Mendis, Hassan Ali, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Hayden Kerr, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Binura Fernando, Noor Ahmad, Sachitha Jayatilake, Janith Liyanage, Dushan Hemantha, Pramod Madushan, Treveen Mathews, Shahnawaz Dahani, Lakshan Edirisinghe, Jehan Daniel, Wanuja Sahan, Kavindu Pathirathne, Ravindu Fernando, Alex Ross, Manelker de Silva, Praveen Jayawickrama
Galle Titans:
Shakib Al Hasan, Dasun Shanaka, Tabraiz Shamsi, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lahiru Kumara, Shevon Daniel, Lasith Croospulle, Sohan de Livera, Ashan Priyanjan, Ben Cutting, Mohammad Mithun, Minod Bhanuka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Avishka Perera, Mohamed Shiraz, Lahiru Samarakoon, Kasun Rajitha, Akila Dananjaya, Chad Bowes, Tim Seifert, Sonal Dinusha, Vishwa Fernando, Anuk Fernando
Jaffna Kings:
David Miller, Maheesh Theekshana, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Thisara Perera, Charith Asalanka, Dunith Wellalage, Shoaib Malik, Pathum Kumara, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Theesan Vithushan, Asanka Manoj, Nishan Madushka, Asitha Fernando, Hardus Viljoen, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka, Zaman Khan, Ashan Randika, Rathnaraja Thanuradan, Chris Lynn, Asela Gunaratne
B-Love Kandy:
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wanindu Hasaranga, Fakhar Zaman, Angelo Mathews, Isuru Udana, Dinesh Chandimal, Mohammad Hasnain, Dushmantha Chameera, Sahan Arachchige, Ashen Bandara, Mohammad Haris, Navod Paranavithana, Asif Ali, Kamindu Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Chathuranga de Silva, Lahiru Madushanka, Aamer Jamal, Malsha Tharupathi, Thanuka Dabare, Lasith Abeyratne, Avishka Tharindu
WHO ARE THE KEY PLAYERS AT THE LPL 2023?
As the cricketing festival arrives, let’s take a closer peek at five crucial players who are likely to leave an indelible mark in the event:
David Miller (Jaffna Kings)
David Miller, the dynamic South African batsman, is expected to heat the LPL 2023 with his power-hitting abilities. Miller, well-known for his knack to destroy any bowling attack, has proven to be a game-changer in many T20 leagues throughout the world.
Miller, who was currently starring for the Texas Super Kings (TSK) in the Major League Cricket (MLC), has certainly shown signs of his potential. Miller will be expected to provide match-winning heroics as a key part of the defending champions, Jaffna Kings.
Shakib Al Hasan (Galle Titans)
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s admirable all-rounder, is widely linked with consistency and excellence in modern-day games. The seasoned veteran has been making impacts for the Montreal Tigers (MT) in Canada’s Global T20 (GT20) tournament.
His all-round excellence has helped MT to critical wins, producing runs with the bat and taking wickets with the ball. Shakib’s significant experience and capability to perform under pressure make him a strong force to be reckoned with as the main player for the Galle Titans.
Fakhar Zaman (B-Love Kandy)
Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan’s mighty opening batter, is expected to be a threat to be battled with for B-Love Kandy in LPL 2023. Fakhar, who is now playing for the Vancouver Knights (VK) in Canada’s Global T20 competition, has already exhibited his combative intent with a spectacular fifty. His skill to set the pace at the top of the stack and enhance the scoring rate during powerplays will be critical to B-Love Kandy’s tournament success.
Chris Lynn (Jaffna Kings)
Chris Lynn, Australia’s hard-hitting batsman, will compete for the Jaffna Kings in LPL 2023. Lynn is no new to the T20 circuit, having played in leagues such as the BBL, IPL, PSL, and CPL. His physical force and ability to sweep the opposition out of the game in a few overs make him a scary possibility. Lynn’s powerful batting will be crucial to the Jaffna Kings’ title defense.
Babar Azam (Colombo Strikers)
Babar Azam, the Pakistani batting star, will be part of the Colombo Strikers in the LPL 2023. Despite encountering difficulties in the previous Test series against Sri Lanka, Babar is known for his grace and mastery of white-ball cricket. His ability to consistently score runs and his calm demeanor makes him an ideal leader on the pitch. Babar will be looked up to not only as their captain but also as a prominent run-scorer capable of leading the club to victory.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR LANKA PREMIER LEAGUE 2023?
| Date | Match Description | Venue | Time (Local Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 30 | Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Strikers | Colombo | 7:00 pm |
| July 31 | Galle Titans vs Dambulla Aura B Love Kandy vs Colombo Strikers | Colombo Colombo | 3:00 pm 7:00 pm |
| August 1 | Dambulla Aura vs Jaffna Kings Galle Titans vs B-Love Kandy | Colombo Colombo | 3:00 pm 7:00 pm |
| August 2 | Rest Day | ||
| August 3 | Rest Day | ||
| August 4 | B-Love Kandy vs Dambulla Aura Galle Titans vs Jaffna Kings | Kandy Kandy | 3:00 pm 7:00 pm |
| August 5 | Colombo Strikers vs Dambulla AuraB Love Kandy vs Jaffna Kings | Kandy Kandy | 3:00 pm 7:00 pm |
| August 6 | Rest Day | ||
| August 7 | Colombo Strikers vs Galle Titans Dambulla Aura vs Jaffna Kings | Kandy Kandy | 3:00 pm 7:00 pm |
| August 8 | Galle Titans vs B Love Kandy Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Strikers | Kandy Kandy | 3:00 pm 7:00 pm |
| August 9 | Rest Day | ||
| August 10 | Rest Day | ||
| August 11 | Dambulla Aura vs Galle Titans | Colombo | 7:00 pm |
| August 12 | Jaffna Kings vs B Love Kandy Dambulla Aura vs Colombo Strikers | Colombo Colombo | 3:00 pm 7:00 pm |
| August 13 | Jaffna Kings vs Galle Titans Colombo Strikers vs B Love Kandy | Colombo Colombo | 3:00 pm 7:00 pm |
| August 14 | B Love Kandy vs Dambulla Aura | Colombo | 7:00 pm |
| August 15 | Colombo Strikers vs Galle Titans | Colombo | 7:00 pm |
| August 16 | Rest Day | ||
| August 17 | Qualifier 1: Top 2 teams (1 vs 2) 3rd vs 4th-ranked teams | Colombo Colombo | 3:00 pm 7:00 pm |
| August 18 | Rest Day | ||
| August 19 | Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator | Colombo | 7:00 pm |
| August 20 | Final | Colombo | 7:00 pm |
| August 21 | Rain Reserve Day |
WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF LPL 2023?
Starting on July 30, the teams will play each other twice in a round-robin league format in group-stage games. The leading four teams on the points table will qualify for the playoffs, which will commence on August 17 and end on August 20, with August 21 set aside as a rain day.
WHERE TO WATCH LANKA PREMIER LEAGUE 2023?
The rights to broadcast the LPL 2023 have been acquired by Star Sports Network. As a result, the live broadcast of the Lanka Premier League 2023 can be seen on India’s Star Sports 3 TV channel. The Sri Lanka T20 league will only be televised in English commentary. The Lanka Premier League’s digital rights have been acquired by Fancode. To watch LPL matches online in India, cricket fans must use the Fancode app.