Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has been named as a replacement for Kane Williamson by the Gujarat Titans franchise in the IPL 2023. Kane Williamson injured himself while saving a boundary during the opening match against Chennai Super Kings and he had been taken off after injuring his knee.
Sai Sudharsan replaced him as an impact player for Kane Williamson in the second innings. Gujarat Titans beat Delhi Capitals in their 2nd encounter at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on April 4.
The defending Champions Gujarat Titans bought Kane Williamson for a base price of Rs 2 Crore. Williamson is currently in Auckland as he is not able to walk. He received treatment but was not able to take part in the match and was eventually ruled out of the tournament.
It is a major blow for Gujarat Titans as his stability in the middle order provided stability. Gujarat Titans won the opening match against Chennai Super Kings in the last over thanks to Rashid Khan’s big shots.
Kane Williamson hobbled off the field while trying to catch the ball but saved two runs in the 13th over. He was given help by a physio but could not help Williamson come back onto the field.
Dasun Shanaka’s impressive record in T20Is
Dasun Shanaka will represent Gujarat Titans in his maiden IPL stint. The Sri Lankan captain is leading the side in the T20I series against New Zealand in New Zealand. His team is 1-0 ahead in 3 match T20I series and would be looking to win their maiden T20I series on the New Zealand shore ahead of 2nd encounter played on 5 April at Dunedin.
Shanaka was in sublime form with 124 runs from 3 matches during Sri Lanka’s tour of India this year. He provided some brutal hitting in the entire series against India. The Lankan Lions lost the series 1-2.
He scored an unbeaten century in the first One-day international match against India at Guwahati chasing down 374. It will be a big boost for the Gujarat Titans line-up to have Dasun Shanaka in the squad with big-hitting abilities putting the bowlers under immense pressure.
He has been bought by the Gujarat Titans franchise for a base price of Rs 50 Lakhs and would be hoping to help them strengthen their middle order.
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