GM VS JK FINAL

Right then! Probably one of the shortest T20 Leagues going across the globe, lasting just 21 days, that's 3 weeks, a shade more than a Grand Slam event in Tennis. But we won't complain, as in these 21 days, we were totally enthralled. We saw high scores, good bowling performances, even hattricks and centuries as well. Maybe, a slight disappointment would be the way the final ended, after being set up so beautifully. But we can't get everything in life, can we? But you surely can, get every piece of cricketing action by browsing through our tabs! The Lanka Premier League has ended but there are other leagues going across - Major League Cricket, Tamil Nadu Premier League, Women's Asia Cup, England-West Indies and yes, the Hundred is also set to begin soon. So keep scrolling, keep following and keep enjoying! On that note, thank you very much for joining us in our coverage. We appreciate the support shown. Until next time, ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Wow. That is really a huge trophy and Charith Asalanka is holding it aloft! He now rushes from the presentation dias, to share the trophy with his loyal mates, but struggles to carry the heavy trophy with him. Fabian Allen rushes across to help him and eventually, the trophy reaches the team. The firecrackers burst and pop go the confetti! A side which has dominated the Lanka Premier League for majority of the time, just strut its stuff, come the big day. Yes, players keep changing every season, but the mindset does not. And that's what we witnessed in the 2024 Lanka Premier League final.

Victorious Jaffna Kings' captain, CHARITH ASALANKA, comes up for a final chat. He says that he cannot express his feelings as it is his first trophy. On the players lifting themselves ahead of the final, Asalanka says that he did not have to do anything, as his experienced players know how to treat every game. Is happy that his or Avishka Fernando's services were not required much, yet they managed to dominate. In Sinhalese, he thanks the Jaffna fans.

Now, it is time for Jaffna Kings' players to receive their medallions. Like a true champion team, they were consistent throughout with a few blips in the league stage, while that loss in Qualifier 1 might have put some doubts in some of the minds, but those would have been of their detractors. Cometh the final, they showed who was the boss. They continue to dominate the Lanka Premier League, winning 4 titles in 5 seasons. Every time they have made it to the final, they have won, beating Galle thrice.

Galle Marvels' skipper, NIROSHAN DICKWELLA, braves a smile, as he comes up for a chat. Calls it a great campaign for his side. Says that he genuinely did not mind batting first but believes that the batters did not read the pitch well. Praises Bhanuka Rajapaksa for giving them a chance to bowl at something. Admits that the pitch definitely changed in the second innings and because of the 45-minute break across innings, it allowed dew to spread all over during the chase, which made bowling all the more difficult. Thanks the management for its support and also the crowd for continually being behind his team.

Time for the runner-up team now. The GALLE MARVELS players step up to receive their medallions. They finished second, but they were excellent throughout the tournament. One bad night does not make them a bad team.

RILEE ROSSOUW HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT. This time there is an interview. Calmy brushes the knock aside and puts it down to playing one ball at a time and credits Kusal Mendis as well, for playing a sensational knock. Honestly admits that the Bhanuka Rajapaksa incident spurred him on, detailing that people who know him, know better than to sledge him. Is happy with the win and details that Jaffna came into this tournament with the intention of winning it and that's what they have done. On being informed that he became the first player to score two centuries in a season and also the first in a final, Rossouw calmly says that records are meant to be broken, so will check who will break his record in the next season.

Dambulla Sixers' CHAMINDU WICKRAMASINGHE is awarded the EMERGING PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT, for scoring 186 runs and taking 7 wickets. The 21-year old is a product of Kandy, with his height making him a good seamer, but it was his batting skills that vowed the judges. Emerging players are always worth looking out for, because they are considered to be the stepping stone into the nation's future.

Colombo Strikers' SHADAB KHAN is presented with the 'Red Cap' - an award for the bowler with most wickets in the tournament - 17 @12.2, at an economy of 6.5, along with 3 four-wicket hauls. Not to forget, it included a hattrick and he was in line for another hattrick as well! Good from Pakistan's point of view.

Galle Marvels' TIM SEIFERT is presented with the 'Pink Cap', an award for being the highest run scorer of the tournament - 400 runs @57.1, at a strike rate of 135.1, with 2 50s and a century.

Now, time for the medallions for the match referees and the umpires. Don't forget, in this age of reviews and technology, they keep doing a fantastic job.

RILEE ROSSOUW HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE FINAL for his fantastic unbeaten 106. Apparently, no interview. Okay, just to mention - Rossouw became the first player to score twin hundreds in an LPL season and also the first to score a century in an LPL final.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

That was NOT the presentation. The stage is getting set. It is about to get underway now. Please stay tuned. Meanwhile, in Nottingham, England have completed a rout of the West Indies, crushing them by 241 runs. The tourists were 61/0 at one stage, but then got bundled out for 143. Off spinner Shoaib Bashir, who was impressive in India, picked up a 5-fer, taking 7 overall in the match. England have closed the second Test in 4 days and secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match Test series, moving to 6th spot in the World Test Championship standings.

Tabraiz Shamsi's turn to speak now. On Rossouw's knock, Shamsi says that he is not surprised, detailing that he is called the 'ROCKET' back home. Admits that they were forced to chase a lot more than they should have, but was confident about his batting unit. On Rossouw getting flared up, Tabraiz says that you should never sledge or abuse Rossouw, else it will be at your own peril.

More interviews. It's the pair of Jason Behrendorff and Tabraiz Shamsi. Behrendorff says that he was trying to swing the ball in earlier games as well but it did not quite work for him. Is happy that it did in the final. Smiles that he and Shamsi have been sharing that final overseas spot but is happy that the team combination worked well. Is happy to be part of Jaffna's victorious campaign and thanks the crowd for its support, hoping to be back again next season.

Celebration time! And Erin Holland has been entrusted the duty of interviewing a few players. FABIAN ALLEN comes first up. He is all smiles. Calls it a fantastic win and credits the batting crew. Adds that he is speechless with the second-wicket partnership between Mendis and Rossouw. On his bowling and batting coming to the fore in this tournament, Allen says that he is ready to do whatever the team asks him to and that is why he is called an allrounder. Details that coaches tell them to back themselves and that's what everyone does in this unit.

Niroshan Dickwella would have been very happy with the way the first innings panned out. It could have been a totally one-sided final, with Galle looking set to score 150 at best. But Tim Seifert's 47 and Bhanuka Rajapaksa's 82 allowed them to get bonus runs. Eventually, it turned out to be a one-sided final only, just that it was limited only to the chase. Throughout the tournament, Galle's top four were amongst the runs, but in the night that mattered the most, only Seifert stood out. One good thing, from a Sri Lankan point of view, is that Rajapaksa found some form. With the Indians set to visit the Lankan shores soon, the southpaw could get picked, especially knowing his credentials against spin.

Earlier in the game, Charith Asalanka won an important toss and straightaway chose to chase. The Jaffna Kings bowlers were right on the money and had Galle at 21/2 inside the Powerplay. They let it slip in the latter half of their bowling innings, which can be one point to criticize for Asalanka and his bowlers. Jason Behrendorff was phenomenal in the Powerplay, with figures of 3-0-5-2, eventually going for 13 in his final over, while Asitha Fernando kept Galle in check with three strikes.

Could Galle Marvels have done anything better? Not sure. They were under the pump right after that first over, with the boundaries being peppered up frequently. Niroshan Dickwella was frustrated, trying hard to rotate his bowlers but no one could even keep a stranglehold on the proceedings, let alone pick wickets. Maheesh Theekshana was shown some respect while Pretorius was the only wicket taker. That too, on the first ball of the chase. Wonder if Galle had made 250, perhaps even that might have been chased down.