After difficult six-seven months owing to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, cricket has finally started across the globe. Although it is still played behind closed doors, the game is enough to bring joy to millions and millions of fans. And a brand new Lanka Premier League is all set to hit the floor hard in Sri Lanka starting in November.
Meanwhile, the fans are currently enjoying the madness that unfolds in front of them in the ongoing Indian Premier League. The 13th edition of IPL ends on November 10 while the Lanka Premier League commences from November 21.
Some of the big names in international cricket were among 438 cricketers who took part in the draft which took place on Monday. A total of five teams namely – Colombo Kings, Dambulla Hawks, Jaffna Stallions, Galle Gladiators and Kandy Tusker will play in the competition.
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90 players were picked by the franchises in total. Interestingly, two Indian cricketers – Manpreet Gony and Manvinder Bisla went under the hammer and were picked by Lanka Premier League franchise Colombo Kings alongside Faf du Plessis and Andre Russell.
Here are final squads for all teams in Lanka Premier League 2020:
Colombo Kings
Local players: Angelo Mathews, Isuru Udana, Dinesh Chandimal, Amila Aponso, Ashan Priyanjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffery Vandersay, Thikshila de Silva, Pht Kaushal, Lahiru Udara, Himesh Ramanayka, Kalana Perera, Tharindu Rathnayaka, Navod Paranawithana.
Overseas players: Andre Russell, Faf du Plessis, Manpreet Singh Gony, Manvinder Bisla, Ravinderpal Singh
Dambulla Hawks
Local players: Dasun Shanaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Madushanka, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Perera, Ramesh Mendis, Pulina Tharanga, Ashen Bandara, Dilshan Madushanka, Sachindu Colombage.
Overseas players: David Miller, Carlos Brathwaite, Samit Patel, Paul Stirling.
Galle Gladiators
Local players: Lasith Malinga, Danushka Gunatilleka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Akila Dananjaya, Milinda Siriwardena, Lakshan Sandakan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Mohomed Shiraz, Dhanjaya Lakshan, Chanaka Ruwansiri.
Overseas players: Shahid Afridi, Colin Ingram, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Amir, Sarfraz Ahmed, Azam Khan.
Jaffna Stallions
Local players: Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Avishka Fernando, Dananjaya de Silva, Suranga Lakmal, Binura Fernando, Minod Bhanuka, Chathuranga de Silva, Mahesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, Nuvinidu Fernando, Kanagaratnam Kapilraj, Theivendiram Dinoshan, Yiyakanth Yiyaskanth.
Overseas players: Dawid Malan, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari, Asif Ali.
Kandy Tuskers
Local players: Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Seekkuge Prasanna, Asela Gunerathne, Kamindu Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Priyamal Perera, Kavisha Anjula, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Samarakoon, Nishan Madushka Fernando, Chamika Edirisinghe, Ishan Jayaratne.
Overseas players: Chris Gayle, Liam Plunkett, Wahab Riaz, Naveen-ul-Haq.