Colombo, May 21: The Player Auction for the upcoming Lanka Premier League - the franchise-based domestic T20 league organised by Sri Lankan Cricket - was held in Colombo on Tuesday (May 21).
At the auction, which was held at the Hilton Colombo, young Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana emerged as the most expensive player with a bid of US$ 120000 while former Sri Lankan pacer Isuru Udana bagged a bid of US$100000.

A total of 420 players, including both Sri Lankan and international talent, were available for bidding during the eagerly anticipated 'Player Auction'. Among these players, 154 were Sri Lankan, while the remainder were international cricketers.

This is how all five teams have stacked up after the LPL 2024 Auction.B-Love Kandy (22), Jaffna Kings (24), Dambulla Thunders (24), Colombo Strikers (20) and Galle Marvels (24) have all picked up 6 international players. Colombo Strikers - who purchased Pathirana the most expensive player of this Auction process - have spent the total purse of US$ 500,000.
Matheesha Pathirana entered the auction at US$ 50,000. Dambulla initiated the bidding at US$ 70,000, and the LPL record was quickly shattered as Galle Marvels raised it to US$ 100,000! In an unexpected move, Galle increased their own bid to US$ 120,000! Applause erupted as Galle Marvels' bid seemed to stand, but Colombo exercised their right to match.
Pathirana ultimately goes to Colombo Strikers for US$ 120,000! Despite Galle's efforts to drive up the price, their attempts were ultimately unsuccessful. A valiant effort nonetheless.
Nisala Tharaka - the last player at the auction table - has been purchased by Jaffa Kings for USD 5000. With that, the LPL 2024 Auction process in Colombo ends. We will share the complete list of players who were purchased at the LPL 2024 Auction shortly.
Yuri Koththigoda has been sold to Galle Marvels at his base price of 00 in the second accelerated round of bidding. With that, Galle and Colombo have completed their list of 24 players. Jaffna Kings - with 23 players - have one more spot to fill.
Theesan Vithushan has been sold to Jaffna Kings at 00.

Colombo Strikers and B-Love Kandy don't have enough money in their purse to bid anymore. Only three teams Jaffna, Dambulla and Galle are in the race now.
Santhush Gunathilake (BP 00) sold to Dambulla Thunders for 00.
Allah Ghaznafar - the Afghanistan cricketer - has been sold to Colombo Strikers at USD 10000.
Pakistan batter Haider Ali (BP 000) has invited a bid of 000 from Dambulla Thunders. The franchise raises a paddle to buy him at 25K instead of 20K or 21K. He will play for Dambulla in this season.
Next up is Nishan Madushka from Sri Lanka, Jaffna Kings have purchased him for USD 10000.
Sri Lanka cricketer Kasun Rajitha (BP $ 20000) sees a battle between Jaffna and Kandy. He has been sold to B-Love Kandy at USD 26000. Galle Marvels didn't exercise the RTM as they don't have the amount left in their purse.
Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka has been sold to Jaffna Kings at USD 40000 in the accelerated round.
Yuri Koththigoda has been unsold at his base price of 00.
Sonal Dinusha has been sold to Dambulla Thunders at 00. The Galle Marvels didn't exercise RTM.
Uncapped Arul Pragasam sold to Jaffna Kings at USD 5000.
Jeffrey Vandersay - the Sri Lankan cricketer - has been sold to Galle Marvels for USD 30000.
Chamindu Wijesinghe has been sold to Galle Marvels for 00. He finds a home in Galle for LPL 2024.
Uncapped Sri Lankan Murvin Abinash has been sold to Jaffna Kings for 00.
Mohammed Ali - the 31-year-old bowler from Pakistan - has been purchased by B-Love Kandy at his base price US$ 10000.
Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman - who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024 - has been sold to Galle Marvels for USD 50000. B-Love Kandy do not exercise the RTM.
Sri Lanka pacer Vishwa Fernando goes unsold at USD 10000.
Pakistan all-rounder Salman Agha has been purchased by B-Love Kandy for 000.
Ayana Siriwardhana has been sold to Dambulla Thunders for 00.
Tharindu Ratnayake fails to attract any bids. He remains unsold at 000.
Sri Lankan cricketer Mithun Jayawickrama has been sold to Dambulla Thunders for 00.
Mohammed Nawfer goes unsold. His base price was 00.
Pakistan batter Usman Khan (000) goes unsold in the accelerated round.
Uncapped Sri Lanka cricketer Kavindu Nadeeshan sold to Galle Marvels at 00.
Pakistan all-rounder Amer Jamal (000) finds no takers in the accelerated round.
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan initially found no takers at his base price of 000. He was sold to B-Love Kandy in the accelerated round.
Azam Khan has been acquired by B-Love Kandy.#LPLAuction #LPL2024 #LPLT20 #LankaPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/XRe2lo3FBv
— LPL - Lanka Premier League (@LPLT20) May 21, 2024
The auction commenced at 12 p.m. (local time) and will initially feature 18 rounds, targeting various player categories such as batters, all-rounders, fast bowlers, spin bowlers, and wicketkeepers. These categories will be further divided into segments like capped batters and uncapped batters. Following the 18 rounds, the auction will proceed to the acceleration rounds.
The total auction purse for all five franchise teams combined is US$2.5 million, with each franchise allocated US$500,000. Teams are required to invest at least 85 per cent of their allocated funds to build their squads.
Charu Sharma, who served as the auctioneer for the inaugural LPL player auction last year, will reprise his role for this edition.
The five teams participating in the auction process include B-Love Kandy, Galle Titans, Jaffna Kings, Colombo Strikers, and Dambulla Aura. In the previous LPL 2023 season, B-Love Kandy clinched the victory by defeating Dambulla Aura in the final match.