The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 players auction concluded recently, witnessing an array of players being bid upon by the five franchises. Taking place on Wednesday, June 14, the auction saw a total of 94 players being acquired by the teams. The highly anticipated fourth edition of the LPL is scheduled to kick off on July 31, promising an exciting season ahead.
The competition is set to showcase several prominent names, including the likes of Babar Azam, David Miller, Matthew Wade and many more, adding star power to the league. However, the auction displayed a consistent trend of overseas players going unsold, with franchises predominantly prioritizing Sri Lankan talent for the marquee tournament.
Further, former Indian batter Suresh Raina, who was rumoured to participate in the auction, did not make an appearance under the hammer. Recent reports revealed that Raina withdrew his name from the proceedings, leading to his absence in the auction.
Additionally, numerous players attracted hefty price tags as franchises spared no expense to secure their services. Here are the top 10 expensive players acquired during the LPL 2023 auction:
10) Dunith Wellalage
Price: $56,000
Team: Jaffna Kings
9) Chad Bowes
Price: $58,000
Team: Galle Titans
8) Kamindu Mendis
Price: $60,000
Team: B-Love Kandy
7) Sadeera Samarawickrama
Price: $68,000
Team: Dambulla Aura
6) Dushmantha Chameera
Price: $70,000
Team: B-Love Kandy
5) Dinesh Chandimal
Price: $72,000
Team: B-Love Kandy
4) Binura Fernando
Price: $76,000
Team: Dambulla Aura
3) Dhananjaya de Silva
Price: $76,000
Team: Dambulla Aura
2) Charith Asalanka
Price: $80,000
Team: Jaffna Kings
1) Dilshan Madushanka
Price: $92,000
Team: Jaffna Kings
In the inaugural game of the competition, the reigning champions, Jaffna Kings, will go head-to-head against the Colombo Strikers. The initial encounters of the LPL 2023 are scheduled to take place in Colombo, followed by a series of matches at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. As the league progresses, the crucial stage, including the knockout phase, will return to Colombo, serving as a fitting venue for the thrilling climax of the tournament.
