LPL 2025 to be played from November 27 to December 23

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the dates for the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League. The five-team event will return in 2025, from November 27 to December 23. The matches will be played at three Sri Lankan venues: R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, and Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla.

The LPL has been a wonderful blend of native talent and experienced global pros. Its maiden edition took place in 2020. Since then, the 20-over tournament has been held every year and has made a significant contribution to the country’s cricketing structure.

Samantha Dodanwela, the LPL’s Tournament Director, revealed that the LPL was scheduled to coincide with the 2026 T20 World Cup.

“The idea to conduct the LPL during this timeframe is aimed at aligning the tournament with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” noted Dodanwela in an SLC release dated Friday, August 1.

Jaffna Kings have been the most successful franchise in the five-season history of Sri Lanka’s premier T20 competition. They have won four out of five times. Kandy Falcons (formerly known as B-Love Kandy) won the 2023 season.

The Galle-based franchise (formerly known as Galle Gladiators and now called Galle Marvels) has finished second three times out of five seasons. Wanindu Hasaranga has been named Player of the Tournament twice (in 2020 and 2023). Rilee Rossouw of South Africa became the first overseas player to win Player of the Tournament in the 2024 season.

The first two finals of the competition were won by teams that bat first. The tendency has shifted in the last three years, with the teams that bat second winning multiple editions. It will be interesting to see how things play out in the forthcoming season, which promises plenty of entertainment and high-quality cricket.