SLC to host Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021 from July 30 to August 22

The inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) hosted by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) from November 26, 2020, to December 16, 2020, was a thrilling affair and garnered a lot of attention and viewership from cricket fans all across the globe. After successfully hosting the first edition of LPL, Sri Lanka Cricket has started preparations for organizing the 2021 edition. 

It is learned that the T20 Championship will be hosted from July 30 to August 22. SLC released an official statement stating that they finally found a suitable window for hosting the second edition. The cricket body is now looking forward to finalizing others details and logistics for the league.

“We have found a suitable window to hold this year’s edition, whilst we are currently working on finalizing the other details of the tournament,’’ said Professor Arjuna De Silva, Chairman, Management Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket in an official release issued by SLC.

In the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the previous edition of the league was played behind closed doors in a biosecure bubble. All the matches were conducted at the Mahindra Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota. However, the authorities are yet to take a decision on whether to host LPL 2021 also behind closed doors. Sri Lanka Cricket is planning to consider all the aspects and discuss them with the Ministry of Health before arriving at a final conclusion.

Jaffna Stallions were the winners of the previous edition

Just like the previous edition, it is expected that five teams including the likes of Colombo Kings, Dambulla Viking, Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Stallions, and Kandy Tuskers will be fighting for the elite T20 title. The previous edition saw Jaffon Stallions, under the leadership of Thisara Perera, winning the trophy. 

Coming to the points table, four teams including Colombo Kings, Dambulla Viking, Galle Gladiators, and Jaffna Stallions qualified for the second stage of the tournament after finishing in the Top 4. In the semi-finals, Jaffna Stallions scripted victory against Dambulla Vikings while Colombo Kings were outplayed by Galle Gladiators.

The final between Gladiators and Stallions was a one-sided affair as JST registered a comfortable victory over GGD by 53 runs.