LANKA PREMIER LEAGUE (LPL) has announced that Indian cricketers will participate in the tournament for the first time when its sixth edition gets underway on 1 December. The list of participating Indian players will be revealed in the coming days.
There is growing speculation that recently retired stars, including spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin who has signed up for the upcoming Big Bash League, could make an appearance in this landmark edition.
This year’s T20 tournament will comprise 24 matches, including 20 league fixtures and four knockout games, hosted across three premier venues — the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo; Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy; and Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Dambulla.
Under the existing format, all five franchises will face each other twice during the league phase. Following the round-robin stage, the top four teams will advance to the playoffs, mirroring the structure of the Indian Premier League.
“For the very first time, Indian cricketers are expected to join the action, their names will be revealed soon, adding a whole new level of excitement for fans across the region,” a press release said.
LPL tournament director Samantha Dodanwela said, “The timing of this edition has been carefully chosen to ensure that players gain maximum exposure and high-quality match practice in the lead-up to a global cricketing year. Over the seasons, the LPL has emerged as a breeding ground for fresh talent, with several youngsters making their mark alongside international stars. This year too, we believe the league will throw up exciting new names who can go on to spring surprises on the world stage ahead of the World Cup.”
