SLC president asks BCCI to allow Indian players to play in Sri Lanka’s own T20 league

The popularity of T20 franchise cricket is only growing each year. From IPL to BBL and PSL, the world now has as many as five to six T20 tournaments. The newest entrant to this list will be Sri Lanka’s own T20 extravaganza – Lanka Premier League – to be held in August. And while the tournament was started in 2012, it ran into several organizational problems and thus couldn’t be pulled off successfully. However, the Sri Lankan board, having addressed all of the issues plaguing the tournament, is all set to re-launch it this year.

Six teams to compete in the tournament 

The tournament will comprise six teams with local and overseas players. But it might miss out on several big names who will be busy with their other T20 or international assignments around the same time. Meanwhile, president of Sri Lankan cricket board, Thilanga Sumathipala, has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow its players to play in the league.

“We would like BCCI to allow players who are outside the 30 contracted players list to play. I’m making my appeal to the BCCI. I can understand the contracted top players playing for the country should be protected and there are 100 of talented players in India. They have time after IPL. We are 20 million but we allow our players to play outside. I think Indian players should allow player outside their top 30,” Sumathipala was quoted as saying on the Indian Express.

Currently, Indian players do not play in any of the overseas franchise cricket tournaments, except for the Dhaka Premier League, which is not a T20 but a 50-over List A tournament. India’s Yusuf Pathan is one of the star players in the DPL.

It will be interesting to watch Indian cricketers in the Lankan league. Not only will it give them a platform to play competitive cricket but also boost the relationship between both the cricket boards.