SLC eyes Indian cricketers for the Lankan Premier League

T20 cricket league is back in Sri Lanka, and the Lankan cricket board is going all way out to make it a grand event. The league – called Lankan Premier League – will commence in August. With the BCCI having a fruitful bond with the Lankan board, rumours have been doing the rounds regarding the participation of Indian players in the league.

On one hand, the SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala spoke to Indian Express and shared his views as to why Indian cricketers should play in the league.

In the meantime, he said that BCCI should allow players who are not a part of the contract list to participate 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.”

SLC hopes to rope in big names

Meanwhile, he went on to say that it is difficult for the current Indian players to play in other T20 leagues as they hardly get time from the packed schedule. With India being extremely rich when it comes to cricketing talent, the ones who are not in the scheme of things for the BCCI, should be allowed to express themselves in such leagues.

“In fairness to the BCCI, India’s top players will have to play all formats. It’s a fairly big load. So you can’t allow them to play elsewhere.” he said.

“My position is if they say “these are my top 30-40 players”, it’s fine, but there will be players who would have played 5-6 ODIs and not playing now, you are depriving them of opportunities, especially when there is no cricket in India. And there are players who have retired.” he added.

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