Lanka Premier League. (Photo Source: LPL/Twitter)
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced the much-awaited schedule for the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 on Sunday, June 18. The fourth edition of the top-tier league will commence on Sunday, July 30, which consists of 24 matches including the summit clash, slated to be played on Sunday, August 20.
The three-time winners and defending champions, Jaffna Kings, will lock horns with Colombo Strikers in the curtain raiser on Sunday, July 30, at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. Notably, the first couple of matches will be played in Colombo followed by a string of fixtures at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, in Kandy.
The business end of the league including the knockout phase will again be hosted in Colombo. In addition to this, a reserve day is in place and the final will be played on Monday, August 21, if an unfortunate scenario arises.
The five teams in the mix- Jaffna Kings, Colombo Strikers, B-Love Kandy, Dambulla Aura, and Galle Titans, will play each other twice in a double round-robin fashion before progressing to the knockout rounds. Notably, the top four teams in the LPL Points Table will advance to the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator in IPL-styled playoffs.
The five participants obtained their full squads in the recently concluded auction which took place on June 14, at the Shangri La Hotel, in Colombo. After being overlooked in the first round of the auction, Dilshan Madushanka went on to become the most expensive player bought by Jaffna Kings for a record fee of $92,000 in the accelerated round.
As the teams have bolstered their squad with top-draw cricketers and look formidable on paper, it remains to be seen which side will eventually go on to lift the title. Moreover, it will be interesting to see if the rival teams push through and end Jaffna Kings’ dominance in the league, who have won three titles on the trot since the league’s inception.
Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 Schedule-
Date
Matches
Venue
Time
1.
Sunday, July 30
Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Strikers
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
2.
Monday, July 31
Galle Titans vs Dambulla Aura
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
3.00 pm
3.
Monday, July 31
B-Love Kandy vs Colombo Strikers
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
4.
Tuesday, August 01
Dambulla Aura vs Jaffna Kings
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
3.00 pm
5.
Tuesday, August 01
Galle Titans vs B-Love Kandy
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
6.
Friday, August 04
Colombo Strikers vs Galle Titans
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
3.00 pm
7.
Friday, August 04
Dambulla Aura vs Jaffna Kings
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
7.30 pm
8.
Saturday, August 05
Galle Titans vs B-Love Kandy
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
3.00 pm
9.
Saturday, August 05
Jaffna Kings vs Colombo Strikers
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
7.30 pm
10.
Monday, August 07
B-Love Kandy vs Dambulla Aura
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
3.00 pm
11.
Monday, August 07
Galle Titans vs Jaffna Kings
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
7.30 pm
12.
Tuesday, August 08
Colombo Strikers vs Dambulla Aura
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
3.00 pm
13.
Tuesday, August 08
B-Love Kandy vs Jaffna Kings
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
7.30 pm
14.
Friday, August 11
Dambulla Aura vs Galle Titans
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
15.
Saturday, August 12
Jaffna Kings vs B-Love Kandy
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
3.00 pm
16.
Saturday, August 12
Dambulla Aura vs Colombo Strikers
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
17.
Sunday, August 13
Jaffna Kings vs Galle Titans
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
3.00 pm
18.
Sunday, August 13
Colombo Strikers vs B-Love Kandy
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
19.
Monday, August 14
B-Love Kandy vs Dambulla Aura
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
20.
Tuesday, August 15
Colombo Strikers vs Galle Titans
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
21.
Thursday, August 17
Qualifier 1 (1 vs 2)
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
3.30 pm
22
Thursday, August 17
Eliminator (3 vs 4)
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
23.
Saturday, August 19
Qualifier 2 (loser QF1 vs winner El)
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
24.
Sunday, August 20
Final
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pmMonday, August 21
Rain Reserve Day, Final
R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
7.30 pm
IPL 2024: Jitesh Sharma to lead Punjab Kings in their last match of season
IPL 2024: Sunrisers Hyderabad’ strongest predicted playing XI against Punjab Kings, Match 69
IPL 2024, Match 70: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match Preview
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah predicts top teams for T20 World Cup 2024 Semifinals
