The sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) which kicks off at the SSC grounds today is more than the entertainment and cricket that will be dished out over the next three weeks at four venues.
By hosting the event the country benefits in more ways than one as Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela pointed out.
“One of the most important thing is the revenue that LPL brings to the country by way of foreign currency that comes from the hotel industry, other merchandising, player payments, clothing, food, water etc. You are talking about approximately $12 million coming into the country,” Dodanwela told Daily FT.
“Also the publicity the country gets in the global arena when the matches are broadcast live all over the world. The viewer percentage has gone up drastically over the last couple of years. The foreign players who come here talk about the country which is another way of free publicity the country is getting. Playing at four venues also gives the foreign players the opportunity to see around the country.”
Dodanwela said that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) also benefits a lot by hosting the LPL each year.
“We started with $1.6 million and over the years it has accumulated to $3.2 million this year. That’s the event side fee the rights holder IPG (Innovative Production Group) pays SLC.”
Following the opening ceremony the first match of LPL-6 will take place between Jaffna Kings and Galle Gallants at 7.30 pm.
Describing how the LPL has expanded over the years since its inception in 2020, Dodanwela in his third year as Tournament Director said, “We started with one venue and then two venues. The tournament has moved forward now for the first time the matches are being played at four venues which is to give everyone in the country the opportunity to witness the matches and the players.”
The SSC will host the first five games after which the tournament moves to Dambulla where the next nine games will take place. Pallekele will host six matches and the R Premadasa Stadium the four knockout games including the final.
The impact player which is currently used in the IPL will be introduced in the LPL for the first time this year and the Power Blast Overs will continue for the second year.
“We introduced the Power Blast Over in 2024 and it went off very well, so we are continuing with it,” said Dodanwela.
In addition to the usual power play in the first six overs where the field restriction is only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle there will be an additional power play which is the Power Blast Overs where the 15th and 16th overs will have the same field restrictions.
“It is giving the batsman an additional two more overs to go after the bowling. It’s a good experience for the bowlers to see how they could curtail runs and that would help them when they play at international level,” said Dodanwela.
“For the first time we have introduced the Under23 Emerging Player which is compulsory for every team to play in the 11. One player should be in the playing 11 and 2 in the squad. The player has to be uncapped. If he is capped he cannot be considered as an Emerging Player although he is Under23.”
Dodanwela said the primary objective of the LPL is to give maximum exposure and opportunity to the younger cricketers to display their capabilities on the field and the global recognition they get.
“Some of the top players who are playing for the country started from the LPL. T20 cricket is becoming so popular whether we like it or not; that is the way forward. But unfortunately we are not doing that well in T20 Internationals. But the most important thing is for the cricketer to play alongside some of the top international players, the dressing room culture, on field behaviour, the toughness and all that is important. A lot of cricketers gain confidence playing in the LPL.”
“Although there are other franchise leagues happening elsewhere in the world, we have still been able to lure some of the top players, the latest addition being Shahin Shah Afridi who will play for Kandy Royals, and also players like Shakib Al Hasan and James Neesham to name a few.”