The 5th edition of the Lanka Premier League will be kicking off in Kandy at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium where defending champions Kandy take on Dambulla. As the cricketing world processes the outcome of the World T20 in the United States and Caribbean, with India emerging as champions, the club cricketing scene turns another chapter with the start of LPL in the island nation of Sri Lanka.
Whilst the richest and most glamorous cricketing league in the world, the IPL came to an end earlier this year with the triumph of the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Sri Lankan league now gets into full gear. With five teams competing for the prize. A lot has changed since the 2023 edition of the Lankan Premier League. New captains, new overseas players, and new ownership means we are in for an exciting season of cricket.
Old Rivalries Return in Lanka Premier League
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For those who haven’t kept pace with developments in Sri Lankan cricket, the Lanka Premier League got its start in 2020. As the world was still reeling from the global pandemic cricket provided a bright spot for many. The start of the LPL was one such development. Encompassing five teams representing the major cultural centers of Sri Lanka: Colombo, Galle, Dambulla, Kandy, and Jaffna.
Jaffna dominated the first three years of the competition, winning 03 from 03. Establishing themselves as the team to beat going into the fourth edition of the competition. In the 2023 edition, Kandy now under different ownership, went all in, under the leadership of Wanindu Hasaranga. Guided by the wisdom of Wasim Akram the team knocked out defending champions Jaffna and went on to win the trophy.
New Teams New Ownership
For those who have been following league cricket in Sri Lanka, the names of the teams might prove to be confusing. Unlike in the Indian Premier League where the ownership is stable, the teams carry on with their names season after season, unless there is some major shakeup. In the LPL what the reader needs to keep in mind are the cities and respective provinces that are represented by the club. And they are the aforementioned: Colombo, Galle, Dambulla, Kandy, and Jaffna.
Since the end of the 2023 edition, there have been several changes for the teams in terms of personnel. Most notably for the 3 time-defending champions Jaffna. Following the relatively poor 2023 season, the leadership produced multiple changes. Notably the replacement of captain Thisara Perera, and the absence of Shoaib Malik. Two stalwarts of the side are now replaced with young blood and a lot of international talent, including Afghan stars: Noor Ahmad and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Can Kandy Defend their Title?
It is no secret that Jaffna had a dream run for the first three editions of LPL, the question is can Kandy repeat that success? Whilst Dambulla, Colombo, and Galle are no pushovers, Kandy and Jaffna seem like the strongest contenders when one looks at the overall squad strength. Kandy will no doubt rely heavily on captain Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, and Angelo Mathews to deliver.
But take nothing away from the other teams, this edition of the Lanka Premier League looks to be a good one. Time will tell if it can deliver the kind of thrills and spills that the Indian counterpart has been able to offer. As for who is the favorite to win, if you are a betting man, my money would be on Jaffna to reclaim the trophy.
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