LPL 2021: Sri Lanka Cricket terminates contract of third franchise

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has terminated the contract of yet another franchise in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Though the name of the team hasn’t been revealed just yet, it’s been learned that Jaffna Stallions, the champions of the inaugural LPL, has faced the axe. It’s a franchise owned by investors of Sri Lanka and Indian origin from different parts of the world.

The Jaffna team, reportedly, has become the third team to have faced termination from the league after Colombo Kings and Dambulla Viiking. SLC and the league rights holders – Innovative Production Group FZE (IPG) of Dubai- took joint action against the Kings and Viiking. The punishments have been meted out to all three teams due to reasons of non-compliance.

SLC expected to release a formal statement on LPL teams

As per reports in Cricbuzz, the LPL organisers are prepared with the new owners, whose KYC’s are with the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to sources, eight new parties have shown interest to be a part of the LPL and the apt parties will come into the picture once the ICC gives a green signal. The SLC is expected to release a formal statement very soon.

The second edition of the LPL is scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 22. Apart from the Kings, Viiking, and Stallions, Kandy Tuskers and Galle Gladiators were the other two teams in the inaugural season. Several top players from around the world are set to take part in the tournament despite the hassles surrounding the ungodly COVID-19 pandemic over the last year.

Usman Khawaja, Shakib Al Hasan, and Sherfane Rutherford are among the big names to participate in the league.  As per the SLC, as many as 135 million viewers across television tuned in to watch the final between the Gladiators and Stallions in Hambantota. The SLC is hoping for similar numbers this time around as well.

“Last year’s success has certainly made a difference with more players from many cricket playing countries looking forward to playing in the LPL, which is a very good sign for the League and Sri Lanka cricket,” Ravin Wickremaratne, the SLC vice-president, was quoted as saying.