Dasun Shanaka is to Replace Kane Williamson in IPL
New Zealand cricket star Kane Williamson’s journey in the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has come to a sudden end. Williamson suffered a knee injury in the opening match of the tournament against Chennai Super Kings, forcing him to pull out of the IPL. The Gujarat Titans have announced Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as Williamson’s replacement.
Shanaka, the current white-ball captain of Sri Lanka, is a talented middle-order batsman who also bowls right-arm seam.
He showcased his prowess in the recently concluded T20I series in India, scoring an impressive 124 runs in just three innings with a strike rate of 187 and an average of 62.00. He was also the top-scorer for Sri Lanka in the subsequent ODI series, amassing 121 runs in three innings.
Shanaka’s Selection
Despite not being picked at the auction due to national duties, Shanaka’s availability after April 8 presented a perfect opportunity for him and the Titans. The announcement was made official during the Titans’ away game against Delhi Capitals.
A fun thing to note about his selection is that a fan had already predicted Shanaka’s arrival earlier by sharing a screenshot of his Instagram page where he had started following the Gujarat Titans. This incident isn’t the first time such a prediction has come true, as a similar thing happened with Matt Short and Punjab Kings earlier.
Before his selection, Shanaka showed excellent form during the recently held India-Sri Lanka series, where he scored runs at an impressive strike rate in both the T20I and ODI formats.
The Titans were pleased to rope him in for his base price of ₹50 lakhs. It is Shanaka’s first appearance in the IPL, and he is expected to add depth to the Titans’ squad. With his big-hitting ability and bowling skills, Shanaka is sure to make a big impact in his maiden season in the TATA IPL.
What Happened to Williamson?
As for Williamson, his injury occurred while attempting to catch a ball on the deep square leg boundary during Chennai Super Kings’ innings. Although he stopped the ball from going for six, he injured his knee in the process.
Williamson was immediately taken off the field and replaced by B Sai Sudharsan via the Impact Player rule. Following a scan, he was ruled out of the tournament, and he returned home for further evaluation.
GT Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki expressed sadness over Williamson’s early departure from the tournament and wished him a quick recovery. There were speculations that Australian star Steve Smith might replace Williamson, but Smith was not part of the IPL auction, which ruled him out of the contention.
Williamson also expressed his disappointment at missing out on the rest of the tournament but wished his team the best of luck. In an Instagram post, he said, “I just want to wish the Gujarat Titans team all the best for the remainder of the season. Wish I could have been there with you all, but not to be. I also want to thank the fans for their love and support. I look forward to a speedy recovery.”
The IPL will surely miss Williamson’s contribution, but Shanaka’s presence is expected to add a new dimension to the Titans’ team. Fans will undoubtedly be eagerly anticipating his debut in the coming matches.
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