IPL 2022 Auction: The Lanka Premier is the franchise cricket tournament from Sri Lanka. The second edition of the LPL is currently taking place. Galle Gladiators and Jaffna Kings will play the final on December 23 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota.
This edition of the LPL has produced some serious cricketing contests that have been enjoyed by cricket fans worldwide. The live streaming and telecast of the LPL were available on Sony LIV, Sony Six, and Sony Ten.
Hence, the Indian fans also had a great time during the tournament. Several players became a household name due to their performance in the league. Sri Lanka is one country whose players are loved by Indian fans equally.
With the IPL 2022 Auction approaching, some key performers might try their luck in the mega auction. A few of them might also get a chance to show their talent in the cash-rich league. Here are five players who might get an IPL contract this year.
1. Avishka Fernando
Avishka Fernando has made 249 runs in nine matches at an average of 31.12 and a strike rate of 152.76 for the Jaffna Kings.
In the second qualifier against Dambulla Giants, he made the only century of the season. He made 100 runs off 64 balls while opening the innings for Jaffna.
2. Philip Salt
Philip Salt is the leading run-scorer in the LPL 2021. He has made 301 runs in ten matches at an average of 30.10 and a strike rate of 154.36.
His batting efforts helped Dambulla Giants to finish in the fourth position in the points table. The team won the eliminator game against Colombo Stars. But, it lost the second qualifier against Jaffna Kings by 23 runs. Salt made 22 runs off 11 balls in that game.
3. Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis has made 288 runs in nine matches at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 150 for Galle Gladiators.
He has hit two half-centuries in the LPL 2021. In the first qualifier against Jaffna Kings, Mendis made 85 runs off 53 deliveries. His innings helped Galle win the match by 64 runs, and he earned the player of the match award for his batting performance.
4. Maheesh Theekshana
Maheesh Theekshana has picked 15 wickets in nine matches at an average of 14.46, an economy of 6.20, and a strike rate of 14 for Jaffna Kings.
Theekshana had a decent performance in the T20 World Cup 2021 as well. He picked eight wickets in seven matches at an average of 17.12, an economy of 5.48, and a strike rate of 18.7.
5. Dinesh Chandimal
Dinesh Chandimal is not a new name for Indian fans. He has a cricketing career of over 11 years and has played several match-winning knocks against the Indian team. In the 2017 Sri Lanka’s tour of India, Chandimal made 164 runs in the third Test while being the captain of the side.
Chandimal has made 277 runs in nine matches at an average of 46.16 and a strike rate of 150.54 in the LPL 2021,. In 2012, Chandimal was picked by Rajasthan Royals in the auction, but the franchise later released him to allow him to return home to train ahead of the home series against Pakistan.
