The Lanka Premier League (LPL) is Sri Lanka's top Twenty20 competition and has developed rapidly since it began in 2020. It provides opportunities for young Sri Lankans to play with seasoned international cricketers, making it a thrilling and competitive atmosphere. Its short and rapid nature makes it with an audience in Sri Lanka and worldwide.

In a major boost for the LPL, Indian cricketers are going to feature in the tournament for the first time ever in its history in the 2025 season. However, some Indian players had already featured in the first season of the LPL in 2020 after retiring from international cricket. Their participation back then added experience and star value to the tournament. Now, more retired Indian stars are expected to bring excitement and guidance to young Sri Lankan players.

The LPL 2025 edition will take place from December 1 to December 23, 2025. There will be 24 matches played in three Sri Lankan venues: R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, and Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla. The addition of Indian players is expected to draw more spectators, enhance the level of competition, and provide an opportunity for young players to learn from veteran cricketers.

Indian Players of Previous LPL Seasons

Irfan Pathan

Irfan Pathan represented the Kandy Tuskers during the inaugural season of the LPL in 2020. The ex-India all-rounder, who had the capability to bat as well as bowl at pace from the left arm, contributed much experience to the team. He led junior players and supported the team with both bat and ball. Pathan featured in three matches, made 54 runs, and did not make any wickets.

Munaf Patel

Munaf Patel also played for the Kandy Tuskers in 2020. The fast bowler last played international cricket in 2018 but came back to the team to share experience and control with the bowling. He played four games and taken three wickets. Despite limited games, he assisted in guiding the young bowlers and provided stability to the team.

Manpreet Gony

Manpreet Gony, a medium-fast bowler with the right arm, represented the Colombo Stars in 2020. He had retired from Indian cricket in 2019 and contributed experience from domestic leagues to the team. Gony represented the team once, took one wicket, and conceded 42 runs. His contribution helped stabilize the bowling attack and assist the less experienced players in the team.

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Sudeep Tyagi

Sudeep Tyagi joined the Dambulla Viiking team in 2020 after retiring from Indian cricket. The former fast bowler for India added to the team's bowling options and continued mentoring core group young players. Tyagi played three matches, but did not take any wickets.

Manvinder Bisla

Manvinder Bisla, a former keeper-batsman, was drafted by the Colombo Kings for the 2020 season but dropped out before playing a single game. Moreover, Manvinder Bisla played 7 games in the 2012 IPL season for KKR, scoring 213 runs with a strike rate of 133.12 and an average of 30.42. Yet, his most significant performance came in the final match against Chennai Super Kings, in which he scored 89 runs from 48 balls to seal a match-winning score for Kolkata Knight Riders. This key knock contributed towards Kolkata Knight Riders' first IPL championship. He was given the Man of the Match for his great performance during the final.

The dates of the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2025 will be held from November 27 to December 23, as it will take place in three venues- Colombo, Kandy, and Dambulla. This is the fourth time in those six years that the T20 competition will be played for the November-December window rather than its July-August slot.

The last two editions were played in November, but with the T20 World Cup 2026 starting in February, the SLC board has found this window best. There had been discussions of a new and sixth side to be added in the competition, along with the sides of Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Dambulla, and Jaffa. There had been talks of the sixth side. However, the board has taken a cautious approach as the LPL has struggled for long-term ownership over the years.

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‘The idea to conduct the LPL during this time frame is aimed at aligning the tournament with the ICC men's T20 World Cup 2026. Potential owners for a sixth team are currently being vetted.’ Samantha Dodanwela, the director of the tournament, expressed.

LPL 2025 set to begin on November 27 with inclusion of new franchise

Earlier this year, Jaffna Kings and the Colombo Strikers were terminated by the board for their failure to uphold the contractual obligations. New owners for both these sides are yet to be announced. Dodanwela has aimed to prepare for batting-friendly surfaces, to prepare for the upcoming home T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India.

‘We were quite happy with the wickets during the last edition, particularly in Dambulla and Kandy. We saw lots of high scores and even some centuries during that portion of the tournament. It was only in Colombo where batting was a little harder.’ He revealed.

The generation surfaces have been a topic in the shortest format as the national side lost their recent three-match home series against Bangladesh. Due to the slot, the tournament is expected to clash with several other franchise leagues- SA20, BBL, and ILT20. That will make it a challenge to attract the top-class T20 players around the world. Both SA20 and ILT20, after all, have their partnerships with many IPL franchises.

The official announcement from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will take place between November 27 and December 23 in 2025. The declaration came on August 1 when tournament director Samantha Dodanwela explained the current year's LPL timing was designed to match with the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which Sri Lanka will share hosting duties with India. “The idea to conduct the LPL during this time frame is aimed at aligning the tournament with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” said Dodanwela.

The league, which has grown into Sri Lanka’s premier T20 competition, will be staged across three top-tier international venues:

Since its debut in 2020, the LPL has truly carved out a significant place in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket landscape. This tournament not only offers the nation’s top first-class players a chance to hone their T20 skills, but it also attracts international stars, turning it into an exciting and globally appealing event. The upcoming edition is poised to be a crucial opportunity for local players as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in early 2026, where Sri Lanka will not only compete but also co-host the tournament.

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Jaffna Kings Eye Fifth Title

The defending champions, Jaffna Kings, who secured their fourth LPL title by beating Galle Marvels in the 2024 final, are eager to continue their winning streak when the tournament kicks off again later this year.

Tournament Snapshot

With the 2026 T20 World Cup fast approaching, LPL 2025 promises high-stakes cricket, emerging talent, and the added excitement of players gearing up for the global stage.