The inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL 2020) starts from November 26 with five teams – Colombo Kings, Dambulla Viikings, Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Stallions and Kandy Tuskers – vying for the title.
The entirety of LPL 2020 will be played at Sooriyawewa Stadium in Hambantota. Ahead of the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League, here’s everything you need to know about the team Kandy Tuskers.
Kandy Tuskers LPL 2020 Team Preview
Kandy Tuskers have also lost some of their most important players ahead of the tournament. Their three top overseas stars in Chris Gayle, Wahab Riaz and Liam Plunkett have withdrawn, while Sohail Tanvir tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Sri Lanka.
However, they did manage to get a boost after South Africa ace Dale Steyn confirmed he’d signed up with Kandy for the tournament. With Steyn set to feature alongside former India stars Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel, and with Dilruwan Perera in the ranks, they have an extremely experienced bowling attack that could prove key in a fledgling league.
They have some big-hitting local batsmen too, with Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis set to form the spine of the batting, much like they do in the Sri Lankan national team. Kandy are yet to name their captain for the tournament.
Kandy Tuskers LPL 2020 Squad List
Local players: Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Seekkuge Prasanna, Asela Gunerathne, Kamindu Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Priyamal Perera, Kavishka Anjula, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Samarakoon, Nishan Madushka Fernando, Chamika Edirisinghe, Ishan Jayaratne.
Overseas players: Naveen-ul-Haq, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Dale Steyn
🏟️ Training session under the lights💡
5 Teams – 1 Trophy#එක්වජයගමූ #wintogether pic.twitter.com/Ke5W73BVcK
— LPL – Lanka Premier League (@LPLT20) November 24, 2020
Key Domestic Player: Kusal Perera
The wicketkeeper-batsman will have to bring his A-game to the fore in the absence of quality overseas batsman, and along with his namesake Kusal Mendis, he will play a crucial role in Kandy’s charge for the LPL 2020 title. Perera scored a 38-ball-66 earlier this year against West Indies from the top of the order, before Covid-19 disrupted the cricket calendar, and it’s the sort of knock he will be hoping to replicate in LPL 2020.
Key Overseas Player: Dale Steyn
Kandy have a few experienced names in their overseas contingent, and a few young lights. But Steyn is the only experienced player still active at the international level. That makes Steyn a massive signing for Kandy, and a key player in their attack, and indeed, the team as a whole. His own form might not have been great during the IPL, but this project offers a chance for Steyn to return to his devastating best.
