Indian Premier League 2024

'Bahut sahi pick kiya hain' - Fans react as Dasun Shanaka replaces injured Kane Williamson in Gujarat for ITL 2023

Gujarat on Tuesday named Dasun Shanaka as a replacement for Kane Williamson for the remaining matches of the Indian T20 League 2023.

author-image
Akshay
New Update
Dasun Shanaka & Kane Williamson

Dasun Shanaka & Kane Williamson (Image credit: Twitter)

Dasun Shanaka & Kane Williamson Dasun Shanaka & Kane Williamson (Image credit: Twitter)

Sri Lankan limited overs captain Dasun Shanaka has replaced the injured Kane Williamson in Gujarat for the remaining matches of the 2023 Indian T20 League, the franchise announced on Tuesday. New Zealand ace batter Williamson was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a knee injury in the season opener against Chennai on March 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This will be Lankan all-rounder Shanaka's maiden ITL appearance, picked at a base price of Rs 50 lakh.

Many were surprised when Shanaka went unsold at the ITL auction in December last year as he was in sublime form for his national team. He is an explosive middle-order batter who can do the finishing work when the team is in trouble and can contribute well with his bowling skills. The 31-year-old recently had an impressive performance in the T20I series against India, smashing 124 runs from three innings at a strike rate of 187 at an average of 62.00. He was also Sri Lanka's highest run scorer in the subsequent ODI series, including a century in the first match.

Williamson's injury hurts New Zealand too

Williamson injured his right knee while trying to save a six in his first match for Gujarat. He was fielding at the deep square leg boundary and almost caught the ball that Chennai opener Ruturaj Gaikwad attempted to hit over the rope in the 13th over. Williamson had a bad landing and once he was down, he could not get up. The medical team came to assist him and he was immediately carried off the field.

The Kiwi star saved two runs for his side in the process, but it was a major setback for the defending champions as his ITL 2023 campaign had to be cut short.

"It is sad to lose Kane to injury so early in the tournament. We wish him a speedy recovery, with the hope of seeing him in action very soon," said Gujarat franchise director of cricket Vikram Solanki in a press release.

This is also a worrying sign for New Zealand as the 2023 ODI World Cup is just six months away. The seriousness of Williamson's injury is yet to be known, but if it is a serious one, he could miss the major tournament in India later this year.

This is how Twitter reacted to Shanaka replacing Williamson in Gujarat: 

Sri Lanka Indian Premier League Dasun Shanaka Kane Willaimson Gujarat