Lanka Premier League saw intense competition last year, and we expect this to continue in 2024. It is a new season, and teams have undergone personnel changes that would change the equations. Picking an outright winner at the moment would be a tough call, but let us look at the performances in the last few editions and peek into their strengths.
# B-Love Kandy
They are the defending champions and shall look to add another title to their crown. It was a sensational title win for the side last year, which had struggled in the previous seasons. Wanindu Hasaranga led the side from the front, finishing as the top run-getter and wicket-taker in 2023, a rare feat in T20 franchise cricket. They have a well-balanced side with youth and experience and would like to start from where they left off last year. Angelo Mathews, Andre Fletcher, Mohammad Hasnain, Dasun Shanaka, and Dushmantha Chameera are key players for the team, and they will look to make a strong impact this season.
Squad - Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Angelo Mathews, Dushmantha Chameera, Kamindu Mendis, Andre Fletcher, Mohammed Harris, Kasun Rajitha, Ashen Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Ramesh Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Mohammad Hasnain, Pavan Ratnayake, Chamath Gomez, Chaturanga de Silva, Kavindu Pathirathne, Lakshan Sandakan, Sammu Ashan, Azam Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Ali
# Dambulla Sixers
The Dambulla franchise continues with the tradition of changing its name every season! Formerly, the Dambulla Giants, Dambulla Viiking, and Dambulla Aura have changed their name to Dambulla Sixers. They hope this name change will also help them win their maiden title. It was heartbreaking for the team to have finished runner-up last year, where they dominated the league stage and played phenomenal cricket. They have made several changes to the squad this season and have good players like Akila Dhananjaya, Mustafizur Rahman, Ibrahim Zadran, Asela Gunaratne, and Iftikhar Ahmed. It will be interesting to see how these new group gels this season.
Squad - Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Dushan Hemantha, Praveen Jayawickrama, Mustafizur Rahman, Ibrahim Zadran, Lahiru Udara, Akila Dhananjaya, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nuwanidu Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Ranesh Silva, Sohan de Livera, Hazratullah Zazai, Karim Janat, Asela Gunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Rusanda Gamage, Mithun Jayawickrama, Ayana Siriwardhana, Sonal Dinusha, Haider Ali, Santhush Gunathilake
# Jaffna Kings
After three consecutive titles, the Jaffna Kings had a rough season last year, finishing 4th. They struggled with their consistency and lost in the Eliminator. With former skipper Thisara Perera moving to a new franchise, the side will play under a new captain as they aim for their 4th title. They have a strong group of players, including Kusal Mendis, Noor Ahmed, Alex Ross, Pathum Nissanka, Rilee Rossouw, and Dhananjaya de Silva. The Kings are one of the pre-favorites to win the title, and the players will look to overcome the poor show last season and regain their dominance over other sides.
Squad - Charith Asalanka (c), Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmed, Vijayakanth Vyaskanth, Fabian Allen, Dhananjaya de Silva, Rilee Rossouw, Pramod Madhushan, Jason Bedrendorff, Asitha Fernando, Vishad Randika, Lahiru Samarakoon, Eshan Malinga, Alex Ross, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Vanuja Sahan, Murvin Abinash, Arul Pragasam, Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Teeshan Vithushan, Nisala Tharaka
# Colombo Strikers
Apart from the runner-up finish in 2022, there hasn’t been much for the Strikers to cheer about. They finished at the bottom of the points table in 2023 with only three wins in eight games. The side has roped in the most successful LPL skipper, Thisara Perera, into the side and would like to see him lead from the front. They have a star-studded team with players like Chamika Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Taskin Ahmed, and Glenn Phillips. The Strikers have failed to deliver on the promise season after season, and it will be interesting to see if this edition holds something different for them.
Squad - Thisara Perera (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nipun Dhananjaya, Shadab Khan, Glenn Phillips, Chamika Gunasekara, Dunith Wellalage, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Taskin Ahmed, Angelo Perera, Shevon Daniel, Binura Fernando, Garuka Sanketh, Matheesha Pathirana, Shehan Fernando, Kavin Bandara, Isitha Wijesundara, Muhammad Wasim, Alaah Ghazanfar
# Galle Marvels
Formerly Galle Gladiators and Galle Titans, the franchise has changed its name to Galle Marvels for this edition. They finished third last year despite promising performances from their players. The side has lost two finals in the past and has failed to deliver in crunch situations. Niroshan Dickwella comes in as skipper and will be hopeful about the team’s prospects. They did well at the auction and picked up players like Maheesh Theekshana, Tim Seifert, Alex Hales, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Lahiru Kumara. The side has the right balance to go the distance this season, and it will be interesting to see how the players perform.
Squad - Niroshan Dickwella (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Lasith Croospulle, Maheesh Theekshana, Tim Seifert, Alex Hales, Janith Liyanage, Dwaine Pretorius, Sahan Arachchige, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Sean Williams, Zahoor Khan, Malsha Tharupathi, Sadisha Rajapaksa, Mohammed Shiraz, Isuru Udana, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kavindu Nadeeshan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Jeffrey Vandersay, Yuri Koththigoda
The T20 Season is in full swing, and the T20 World Cup will give way to the Lanka Premier League 2024. It is the 5th season for the tournament and an important milestone after the previous franchise league had failed in the island nation. While LPL may not have the same pomp and show as the Indian Premier League or the Big Bash League, it has been competitive, and we have seen some of the biggest names in T20 cricket being part of the five franchises. 
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