LPL 2023: 5 bowlers who bagged big bucks at auction

Dilshan Madushanka Bowling. (Photo Source : Gettyimages/Hannah Peters)

The fourth season of the Lanka Premier League begins on Sunday, July 30. Five teams will battle it out in the tournament, with 24 matches, including the final. It goes without saying that the league will provide opportunities for youngsters to make a name for themselves and get into the scheme of things as far as national team selection is concerned.

Last year’s edition saw Sadeera Samarawickrama realising his potential and bag the Player of the Tournament award. The Colombo-born wicketkeeper-batter scored 294 runs in 9 matches at an average of 58.80. The stellar performance helped him earn a recall to the Sri Lanka side. Youngsters like Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth impressed experts and fans alike.

In the 2023 edition, more such performances are expected, as many talented players will feature in the five-team tournament. Having good domestic players on their sides bodes well for franchises in these leagues. The teams focused on bagging talented Sri Lankan players at the inaugural LPL auction on Wednesday, June 14. According to cricket pundits, batters win you matches, while bowlers win you championships. So, the franchises at the auction invested wholeheartedly in securing the services of some promising bowlers. In the same light, we look at the five bowlers who attracted lucrative bids at the auction.

Here are the five bowlers who got big bids at LPL Auction 2023

5. Noor Ahmad

Noor Ahmad. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The spinner from Afghanistan is the only foreign player to feature in this list. He went to Dambulla Aura at the LPL Auction for USD 50,000. Noor Ahmad has not played much international cricket. However, he is just 18 years old and has already given glimpses of his mettle in leagues worldwide.

After having a spectacular Indian Premier League 2023 season, Ahmad’s stocks have risen substantially in the cricketing world. In 13 matches, Ahmad picked up 16 wickets, averaging 23.06. He operated at an economy of 7.82 and had a strike rate of 17.69. The left-arm spin bowler helped Gujarat Titans finish as runners-up in the tournament with his noteworthy performances.

Ahmad will form a spin troika alongside Dhanajaya de Silva and Praveen Jayawickrama. How the three players bowl in tandem will be a telling factor as far as Dambulla Aura’s chances in the tournament are concerned.

4. Dunith Wellalage

Dunith Wellalage. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The 20-year-old was picked by the three-time defending champions Jaffna Kings for a sum of USD 56,000. Dunith Wellalage not only brings his accurate left-arm orthodox bowling to the table but also adds value down the order with the bat.

Wellalage has played nine ODIs and a solitary Test for Sri Lanka thus far. However, he is yet to make his debut in the T20I format. In the nine ODIs, Wellage has picked up as many wickets. Jaffna Kings’ skipper Thisara Perera used him tactically throughout last year’s tournament. The experienced all-rounder did not utilise Wellalage’s bowling in all the matches, but whenever the youngster was called upon, he invariably delivered.

Wellalage bowled 18 overs last season in the LPL and picked up six wickets. His economy rate was a mind-boggling 4.55 only. There was no doubt that the Kings’ management would go all out to secure the Colombo-born youngster’s services. He will be bowling alongside the relatively-experienced Maheesh Theekshana.

3. Dushmantha Chameera

Dushmantha Chameera. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The experienced campaigner is currently one of the fastest bowlers going around in the world. B-Love Kandy snapped up Dushmantha Chameera for USD 70,000. He had an injury-ridden 2022 but is now back to full fitness and representing Sri Lanka in the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers.

Chameera has the experience of playing 12 Tests, 44 ODIs, and 52 T20Is for Sri Lanka. In the 52 T20Is, he has picked up as many wickets. For someone who bowls in the powerplay and at the death, his economy of 8.08 is quite good. In his LPL career, Chameera has taken 21 wickets in 17 matches, averaging 24.90.

B-Love Kandy have a formidable bowling attack in their arsenal. Chameera will be accompanied by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, and Mohammad Hasnain. However, with the history of injuries that Chameera has had, the pacer will have to keep an eye on his fitness with the ODI World Cup scheduled to take place in October-November. That is if Sri Lanka make it from the ongoing qualifiers.

2. Binura Fernando

Binura Fernando. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The tall left-arm pacer was roped in by Dambulla Aura for USD 76,000. The amount should not come as a surprise, as Binura Fernando was fifth on the list of top wicket-takers in the last edition of the LPL.

In just five matches, Fernando picked up 12 wickets at an impeccable average of 11.25. In his overall LPL career, the seamer has picked up 18 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 8.35. He has also played 12 T20Is for Sri Lanka, picking up as many wickets with an economy of 8.07.

Those who have seen the six foot six inch-lad bowling will know how he uses a variety of slower ones to outfox batters. His towering frame does well to intimidate the opposition, and the cutters come when one least expects it. Binura could be a handful for Dambulla as they hope to forget memories of 2022, where they finished last on the table.

1. Dilshan Madushanka

Dilshan Madushanka Bowling. (Photo Source : Gettyimages/Hannah Peters)

The 22-year-old left-arm seamer landed the most lucrative contract in the auction. Dilshan Madushanka’s services were acquired for USD 92,000 by Jaffna Kings. He makes the Jaffna pace-attack look lethal with pacers like Asitha Fernando and Nuwan Thushara, in the mix.

Arguably Sri Lanka’s finest fast bowler, Chaminda Vaas, predicted a bright future for Madushanka when he was just a 17-year-old. Sri Lanka’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood, also lauded the pacer’s work ethic. Talking about his talent, who could forget the fabulous inswinger he bowled to castle the great Virat Kohli in the  2022 Asia Cup.

Madushanka has just played 13 international games in white-ball cricket for the Island nation. He was initially overlooked when Sri Lanka named their squad for the World Cup Qualifiers. However, he has been called up recently to the side as standby option. A lot of eyes will be on Madushanka when the fourth season of the LPL gets underway.