Excitement is building for the 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL 2023) auction, scheduled to take place on June 14. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that a staggering number of over 500 players have registered for the event, setting the stage for a highly competitive bidding process. This year’s fourth edition of the prestigious league is set to kick off on July 31 and will culminate with the final on August 22.
Notably, the upcoming edition of the LPL will introduce an IPL-style auction, adding an element of anticipation and strategy to the proceedings. Each of the five participating franchises will have a maximum spending cap of US$500,000, providing them with the opportunity to assemble a formidable squad.
Several star players have already been signed by the franchises ahead of the auction. To bolster their core setup, the teams were granted an additional $500,000. These pre-selected players have inked three-year deals with the franchises, and mutual consent will determine their retention or release at the end of each season. While designated windows for trading players will be made available, specific details regarding this aspect are yet to be confirmed.
Let’s take a look at the complete list of pre-selected players for the LPL 2023:
- Colombo Strikers: Babar Azam, Matheesha Pathirana, Naseem Shah, Chamika Karunaratne
- Dambulla Aura: Matthew Wade, Kusal Mendis, Lungi Ngidi, Avishka Fernando
- Jaffna Kings: David Miller, Thisara Perera, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Maheesh Theekshana
- Kandy Falcons: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wanindu Hasaranga, Fakhar Zaman, Angelo Mathews
- Galle Gladiators: Shakib Al Hasan, Dasun Shanaka, Tabraiz Shamsi, Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Understanding the rules and process of the LPL 2023 auction is essential. Similar to the IPL auction, players will be categorized into capped and uncapped groups. Capped players can register for the auction with base prices ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 in increments of $10,000. Uncapped players with a minimum of 50 First-Class matches will have a base price of $20,000, while those with a minimum of 25 First-Class matches or 18 matches in the LPL or other T20 franchise leagues will be priced at $10,000. Players who do not meet either criteria will be listed with a base price of $5,000.
Each franchise will be allowed a squad of 20-24 players, including a mandatory six overseas players. Any remaining funds from the pre-signing purse cannot be carried forward to the auction. Bidding can commence between two teams, and if a third team wishes to enter, they must wait for one of the initial two teams to withdraw from the process.
In an exciting twist, after the first 70 names, an “accelerated” auction process will occur. During this phase, teams can nominate 15-20 players, including those who remain unsold, for another round of bidding.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the LPL 2023, the stage is set for an intense auction as franchises look to secure the best talent to compete for the championship. With a range of renowned players available and intriguing auction dynamics, the upcoming edition promises to deliver riveting cricketing action and captivating moments.
