Despite challenges, LPL set to kick off next week

The inaugural edition of Lanka Premier League (LPL) has faced a few challenges but the event is expected to get off next week in Hambantota where the players, match officials and television crew have started quarantine.

All local players started their quarantine process early this week while players from overseas have started arriving.

One of T-20 cricket’s hottest sensations Andre Russel of West Indies was expected to reach his hotel yesterday to start his quarantine. Russel will be representing Colombo Kings franchise which also consists Sri Lanka’s leading player Angelo Mathews.

Colombo Kings have suffered a couple of setbacks though. Firstly, their head coach Dav Whatmore pulled out and then former England seamer Kabir Ali, who replaced him tested positive for COVID 19 before he could arrive in Colombo. Kings Assistant Coach Chaminda Vaas also has pulled out.

The participation of T-20 cricket’s biggest attraction – Christopher Henry Gayle – is on the balance, sources said. Gayle was bought by Kandy Tuskers.

SLC officials said that the setbacks were due to these uncertain times and numerous challenges facing the organizers due to the outbreak of the pandemic. The tournament was pushed back several times due to a variety of reasons.

But despite the setbacks, the five franchise competition is gaining momentum and received a huge boost when the organizers found a sponsor. My11Circle, a fantasy sports platforms in India has signed up as the title sponsor and this has cast away many doubts that includes the franchise owners suffering huge financial losses.

Sri Lanka Cricket has outsourced the event to Dubai based IPG, who are set to announce signing up of a television deal as well and this will further ensure that franchises will be at least able to break even in the first year.

According to the agreement, while IPG takes away 60% of the revenue from television deal and title sponsor, the franchises get the remaining 40%. Which means that each franchise will receive 8% of the revenue. What the franchises will have to forgo though is gate collection as all games will be played behind closed doors due to the pandemic.

As for SLC, IPG will pay them a grand sum of US$ 2 million. The five year deal will bring the board US$ 10 million.

More importantly, the event provides up and coming Sri Lankan players a taste of international cricket.