‘Aapko jeet ki dher saari mubarakein’ – Fans react as B-Love Kandy become LPL 2023 champions after defeating Dambulla Aura by 5 wickets in final

B-Love Kandy became the champions of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 after they defeated Dambulla Aura by 5 wickets which was played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, August 21. 

Talking about the match, Opting to bat, Dambulla started horribly as they lost their first wicket on just 11 runs. However, later, they witnessed two half-century partnerships but the Kandy bowlers never really allowed them to go berserk and restricted the group stage table-toppers to a score under 150. 

Chaturanga de Silva was the star with the ball for Kandy as he picked up 2 wickets and conceded only 25 runs in his 4 overs quota. Nuwan Pradeep and Mohammad Hasnain also got 1 wicket each. Despite losing only 4 wickets, Dambulla could only score 147 runs in 20 overs.

I am very happy because I contributed with the bat: Wanindu Hasaranga

Chasing the target, got their team off to a breezy start. Scored 47 runs off the powerplay without losing a wicket. However, Noor Ahmed provided a much-need breakthrough as he dismissed Haris in the 7th over of the 2nd innings. Kandy batters got slowed down in the middle overs and the asking run rate kept increasing.

In the end, Kandy needed 41 runs off 25 balls, Asif Ali came in a played a little cameo – hitting two fours and a six. Angelo Mathews also struck back-to-back fours to bring the asking rate down to 6 RPO and calmly took his team over the line. Wanindu Hasaranga was named Player of the tournament for his brilliant all-round performance which included 279 runs and 19 wickets. He talked about it while he was receiving the award.

“I am very happy because I contributed with the bat. I tried to do my best be it with the bat or with the ball. Our head coach asked me to bat higher. I was ready to do that. I also wanted to do something with the bat. No (pressure), whenever I play, I try to do my best whether I am captaining or not. I was the Player of the Tournament in the first edition as well. This is more pleasing as I contributed with the bat.” Hasaranga said after the match.

Here’s how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/Mohit_3429D/status/1693323119589732602?s=20