Introduction
The Lanka Premier League (LPL) has become one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting T20 tournaments, featuring fierce rivalries and thrilling encounters. Among them, the battle between the Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Falcons Timeline has been one of the most entertaining. Both teams boast superstar cricketers, passionate fans, and match-winning performances.
This article provides a comprehensive Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Falcons Timeline, including tables, statistics, and key highlights from 2020 to 2024.
Birth of the Lanka Premier League (LPL)
Launch in 2020
The LPL was launched in 2020, giving Sri Lanka its very own franchise T20 league. It quickly became popular with international stars joining local talent.
Evolution of Teams
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Jaffna franchise was originally named Jaffna Stallions (2020), later rebranded as Jaffna Kings (2021).
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Kandy franchise went through multiple name changes: Kandy Tuskers (2020) → Kandy Warriors (2021) → Kandy Falcons (2022 onwards).
The Jaffna Kings – A Quick Background
Franchise History
The Jaffna team has been the most successful LPL franchise, winning three back-to-back titles (2020, 2021, 2022).
Key Players Over the Years
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Thisara Perera (Captain) – All-round powerhouse.
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Avishka Fernando – Explosive opener.
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Wanindu Hasaranga – Match-winning leg-spinner.
The Kandy Falcons – A Quick Background
Franchise Changes and Rebranding
The Kandy franchise had a rocky start but improved significantly after becoming Kandy Falcons in 2022.
Squad Strength
Key stars included:
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Andre Fletcher – Known as the “Spiceman” for his big hitting.
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Carlos Brathwaite – Caribbean power hitter.
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Wanindu Hasaranga (before joining Jaffna).
Head-to-Head Record
Overall Wins and Losses (2020–2024)
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Matches Played: 15
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Jaffna Kings Wins: 10
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Kandy Falcons Wins: 5
Win Percentages
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Jaffna Kings – 66%
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Kandy Falcons – 34%
Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Falcons Timeline (Table Format)2020 Season Matches
| Date | Venue | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 6, 2020 | Hambantota | Jaffna Stallions won by 66 runs | Avishka Fernando 92 runs |
| Dec 13, 2020 | Hambantota | Kandy Tuskers won by 6 wickets | Kusal Perera 84* |
2021 Season Matches
| Date | Venue | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 7, 2021 | Colombo | Jaffna Kings won by 14 runs | Thisara Perera 47 (17) |
| Dec 19, 2021 | Colombo | Jaffna Kings won by 23 runs | Avishka Fernando 63 |
| Dec 23, 2021 | Colombo (Eliminator) | Jaffna Kings won by 7 wickets | Shoaib Malik match-winning knock |
2022 Season Matches
| Date | Venue | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 7, 2022 | Hambantota | Kandy Falcons won by 9 wickets | Andre Fletcher 102* |
| Dec 18, 2022 | Colombo | Jaffna Kings won by 6 wickets | Avishka Fernando 83 |
| Dec 21, 2022 | Colombo (Qualifier 2) | Jaffna Kings won by 37 runs | Dunith Wellalage 4/18 |
2023 Season Matches
| Date | Venue | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 8, 2023 | Colombo | Jaffna Kings won by 5 wickets | Towhid Hridoy 72 |
| Dec 15, 2023 | Colombo | Kandy Falcons won by 7 runs | Carlos Brathwaite 3/22 |
| Dec 20, 2023 | Colombo (Playoff) | Jaffna Kings won by 21 runs | Avishka Fernando 66 |
2024 Season Matches
| Date | Venue | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 22, 2024 | Dambulla | Kandy Falcons won by 5 wickets | Andre Fletcher 89* |
| July 28, 2024 | Colombo | Jaffna Kings won by 4 wickets | Thisara Perera 52 (25) |
| Aug 2, 2024 | Colombo (Semi-Final) | Jaffna Kings won by 12 runs | Wanindu Hasaranga 3/19 |
Memorable Encounters
High-Scoring Games
The 2020 clash where Jaffna Stallions scored 218 remains iconic, with Avishka Fernando hammering the Kandy bowlers.
Last-Over Thrillers
In 2023, a nail-biting finish saw Kandy Falcons win by just 7 runs, thanks to Carlos Brathwaite’s death bowling.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Stars from Jaffna Kings
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Avishka Fernando
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Thisara Perera
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Shoaib Malik
Stars from Kandy Falcons
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Andre Fletcher
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Kusal Perera
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Carlos Brathwaite
Statistical Breakdown
Top Run Scorers (2020–2024)
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Avishka Fernando (Jaffna) – 472 runs
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Andre Fletcher (Kandy) – 431 runs
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Thisara Perera (Jaffna) – 298 runs
Leading Wicket-Takers (2020–2024)
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Wanindu Hasaranga (Both teams across years) – 27 wickets
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Dunith Wellalage (Jaffna) – 19 wickets
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Carlos Brathwaite (Kandy) – 16 wickets
Best Individual Performances
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Andre Fletcher – 102* (2022)
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Avishka Fernando – 92 (2020)
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Wanindu Hasaranga – 5/18 (2021)
Tactical Approaches
Jaffna Kings’ Style of Play
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Heavy reliance on explosive batting (Avishka, Thisara).
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Balanced by spinners like Wellalage and Hasaranga.
Kandy Falcons’ Strategy
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Aggressive power hitting (Fletcher, Brathwaite).
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Death-over specialists in bowling.
Impact on Lanka Premier League
This rivalry has shaped LPL seasons, with Jaffna dominating finals but Kandy providing upsets to keep the tournament alive with unpredictability.
Fan Reactions and Atmosphere
Both Jaffna and Kandy have passionate followings. Their matches are electric, with social media banter and huge TV audiences making it one of the league’s hottest fixtures.
Future of the Rivalry
With both franchises improving squads year after year, expect even more thrillers, super overs, and record-breaking performances in upcoming LPL editions.
Conclusion
The Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Falcons rivalry is more than just cricket—it’s about pride, passion, and power-packed performances. From Avishka Fernando’s fireworks to Andre Fletcher’s brilliance, this timeline shows how these clashes have become the heartbeat of the Lanka Premier League.
FAQs
Q1: Who has won more matches between Jaffna Kings and Kandy Falcons?
A: Jaffna Kings, with 10 wins out of 15.
Q2: Which player has scored the most runs in this rivalry?
A: Avishka Fernando, with 472 runs.
Q3: Who bowled the best spell in Jaffna vs Kandy matches?
A: Wanindu Hasaranga, with 5/18 in 2021.
Q4: What is the highest team score in Jaffna vs Kandy clashes?
A: Jaffna’s 218 runs in 2020.
Q5: Did Kandy Falcons ever beat Jaffna in playoffs?
A: No, Jaffna has always outplayed Kandy in knockout stages.