After approximately three weeks of intense cricketing action on the island of Lanka, the Lanka Premier League (LPL) has announced a fresh victor as B-Love Kandy emerged triumphant against Dambulla Aura in the grand finale of LPL 2023.
Overcoming a series of injuries and a demanding schedule, including playing their second game within 24 hours, B-Love Kandy secured the championship title in the fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League. Pursuing a target of 148 runs for victory, they achieved it with just one ball to spare.
Despite Dambulla Aura’s Noor Ahmad standing atop ESPNcricinfo’s MVP rankings with his remarkable figures of 3 for 27, the victory went to B-Love Kandy. Angelo Mathews, who earned the Player of the Match award, didn’t even make it to the top five MVPs. The final wasn’t characterized by exceptional quality or standout performances; rather, it was determined by the team that handled crucial moments more effectively.
Angelo Mathews epitomized this approach, leading the team in a straightforward chase that turned tense in the closing stages due to a flurry of late wickets. His contribution of 25 runs off 21 balls might not have grabbed attention, but as the stand-in captain, he proved vital in navigating the challenging conditions and run rate requirements.
The victory was made even sweeter by the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, whose injury had placed Kandy in the underdog position prior to the match. This injury added to the setbacks faced by Dushmantha Chameera and Isuru Udana.
Mathews remarked at the toss, “It’s really unfortunate our best player misses out on the biggest occasion. He singlehandedly brought us through to the finals after the first two losses… We’ve had a lot of injuries, I can’t even count. I think the schedule also has been pretty hectic to be honest. We’re the only team that played three days in a row.”
Ultimately, Kandy transformed these challenges into motivation, achieving a memorable victory that will be etched in the memories of all involved.
The 2023 installment of the Lanka Premier League commenced on July 30th, with the defending champions Jaffna Kings triumphing over Colombo Striker. The playoffs of LPL 2023 featured four qualified teams: Dambulla Aura, Galle Titans, Jaffna Kings, and the eventual champions, B-Love Kandy.
In the initial qualifier, Dambulla Aura outperformed Galle Titans, who then faced B-Love Kandy in the second qualifier after the latter defeated defending champions Jaffna Kings in the eliminator match. The grand finale unfolded between Dambulla Aura and B-Love Kandy at Colombo’s R.Premadasa Stadium.
Opting to bat after winning the toss, the Aura side managed to post 148 runs on the scoreboard within their allocated 20 overs. However, B-Love Kandy responded effectively, chasing down the target with minor contributions from their batters. Kandy reached the target in the final over, losing five wickets along the way, securing a triumphant five-wicket victory.
In summary, B-Love Kandy’s perseverance through challenges, combined with solid teamwork, led them to clinch the championship title in LPL 2023. Their victory marked the culmination of weeks of competitive cricketing action on the Lanka Premier League stage.
