Lanka Premier League (LPL) brings together cricket fans, especially those passionate about T20 cricket. It brings some exciting Sri Lanka talent and the best international cricketers. The 2023 edition of LPL promises some intense cricket action.
Lanka Premier League 2023 Teams
Five teams will fight for the prestigious Lanka Premier League 2023 trophy. Jaffna Kings, known as Jaffna Stallions in the inaugural LPL edition, are the defending champions, winning the title in all three editions. In the 2020 and 2021 editions, the Kings overcame Galle Titans in the final. The Thisara Perar-led side defeated Colombo Strikers, then Colombo Kings, by two wickets in the title clash last year.
Below is the list of five teams that will feature in the 2023 edition:
- B-Love Kandy – Wanindu Hasaranga (captain)
- Colombo Strikers – Niroshan Dickwella (captain)
- Dambulla Aura – Kusal Mendis (captain)
- Galle Titans – Dasun Shanaka (captain)
- Jaffna Kings – Thisara Perera (captain)
Babar Azam, Shakib Al Hasan, David Miller, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naseem Shah, Shoaib Malik, Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman, etc., are some of the most famous names in the LPL overseas list.
Lanka Premier League 2023 Schedule
Jaffna Kings will play Colombo Strikers in the opening match of the Lanka Premier League 2023 at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium on July 3. The group stage consists of 20 matches, with each team set to eight games. The playoff stage begins on August 17, and the final on the 20th.
The complete schedule of the upcoming Lanka Premier League season is below:
Venues of 2023 Edition
The 24 matches in the 2023 season will be held across R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Premadasa Stadium will host the two qualifiers, the eliminator, and the final, while cricket fans in Pallekele can watch eight league stage matches at the international cricket stadium.
LPL 2023 Auction Players List
Dilshan Madushanka grabbed the headlines after being bought by Jaffna Kings for $92,000. The 22-year-old left-arm pacer, with a base price of $20,000, has represented Sri Lanka in all three formats. Chad Bowes was the most expensive signing in the overseas category. Galle Titans shelled out $58,000 for the New Zealand batter, who made his T20I and ODI debut for the Black Caps this year.
Let us look at the top five costliest domestic and overseas signings in the latest Lanka Premier League Auction:
Top 5 Domestic Signings in LPL 2023
- Dilshan Madushanka – $92,000 by Jaffna Kings
- Charith Asalanka – $80,000 by Jaffna Kings
- Binura Fernando – $76,000 by Dambulla Aura
- Dhananjaya de Silva – $76,000 by Dambulla Aura
- Dinesh Chandimal – $72,000 by B-Love Kandy
Top 5 Overseas Signings in LPL 2023
- Chad Bowes – $58,000 by Galle Titans
- Chris Lynn – $50,000 by Jaffna Kings
- Ifthikar Ahmed – 50,000 by Colombo Strikers
- Noor Ahmad – $50,000 by Dambulla Auro
- Shoaib Malik – $50,000 by Jaffna Kings
The likes of Suresh Raina, Yasir Shah, Evin Lewis, Jason Behrendorff, Mushifiqur Rahim, etc., went unsold.
Concluding Thoughts
With some top overseas players and the best Sri Lankan talent on display, the Lanka Premier League will offer world-class cricketing action. Cricket fans will be hoping that the three-week-long tournament will have some thrilling finishes and breathtaking moments.
FAQs about Lanka Premier League
No Indian player will feature in the LPL 2023 season. Suresh Raina nominated himself in the auction. However, the IPL legend went unsold.
Jaffna Kings is the most successful franchise in Sri Lanka’s top T20 league. They won all three editions – 2020, 2021, and 2022 – of the Lanka Premier League.
Babar Azam is part of the Colombo Kings squad, but Niroshan Dickwella is the captain of the Colombo Kings.
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