LPL Player Draft 2022: Hasaranga, Braithwaite drafted by Kandy Falcons, Rajapaksa joins Dambulla Giants

The player draft for the 2022 Lankan Premier League (LPL) was conducted on July 5, Tuesday. The tournament's third edition will be held from July 31-August 21, 2022, with five teams competing in the domestic T20 event. A total of 353 players were a part of the draft, including 180 overseas stars, and 173 domestic players. 

The players were segregated into 12 categories, with International Ruby and Sri Lankan Ruby including the marquee players. All players in the Ruby category, whether domestic or overseas, had a price tag of USD 60,000. 

As we move further down into the lower categories, the prices of the players also reduced gradually. In the pre-draft, all five franchises could pick 2 Sri Lankan and 2 overseas players.

Perhaps, all eyes in the pre-draft were on the Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. The 24-year-old has had a breakthrough year in 2022, which saw him earning a mega deal with IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The all-rounder was snapped by Kandy Falcons for USD 60,000, as he belonged to the Sri Lankan Ruby Category.

Colombo Stars drafted Dwaine Pretorius, who was placed in the top-tier category. Reigning champions Jaffna Kings drafted the likes of Evin Lewis and Thisara Perera from the Ruby category. 

West Indian all-rounder and seasoned T20 campaigner Carlos Braithwaite will join Kandy Falcons, alongside Wanindu Hasaranga. 

Angelo Matthews was pre-drafted by Colombo Stars, with Danushka Gunathalika moving to Galle Gladiators.

Sri Lankan batters Bhaunuka Rajapaksa and Charith Asalanka were pre-drafted by Dambulla Giants and Colombo Stars, respectively. Sri Lanka's limited-over skipper Dasun Shanaka went to Dambulla Giants for a sum of USD 60,000. 

Kusal Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana were among the interesting picks in the Sri Lankan Diamond' A' category. The former was drafted by Galle Gladiators, with the latter going to Jaffna Kings.