On Tuesday (April 4th), the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) declared that Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka was taking over Kane Williamson’s spot in the squad for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Williamson was bought by the franchise at a base price of ₹2 crore but unfortunately had to be ruled out for the rest of the IPL due to a knee injury sustained in the tournament’s opening match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 31st.
GT has signed Sri Lanka’s Shanaka at the base price of ₹50 lacs. This move could prove to be a real asset to the team, as Shanaka is an experienced tactical leader who has shown his capabilities on the international stage. Here we look at 3 reasons why he could be the right move for GT:
3) Multi-talented player
Gujarat could see a massive benefit by adding Shanaka to the squad, as his performance has demonstrated his ability to contribute across all three areas of the game. With over 3,700 runs in T20 and 59 wickets with his medium-paced bowling, Shanaka would be ideal for bowling on used wickets later in the season.
2) Will add a new aspect to the leadership group
Since 2019, Shanaka has captained Sri Lanka in 68 international matches, bringing a newfound enthusiasm to the team. Last year, his leadership saw them earn their first Asian Cup victory in 8 years, as they defeated Pakistan in the UAE. With his experience, Shanaka is sure to be an invaluable asset to the leadership group at GT.
1) Ability to perform in crunch situations
Fans have been asking for the inclusion of Shanaka in the IPL for some time due to his tremendous determination and fighting spirit. He showed his true potential to the Indian crowd during the T20I series against India earlier this year, scoring 124 runs at an average of 69 and a stunning strike rate of 187.88. He also hit his second ODI century in Guwahati in just 87 balls. Shanaka has been a savior for Sri Lanka over the last few years, rescuing them from numerous difficult situations. His toughness makes him stand out, so the GT team could have made a wise decision by adding him to their squad to improve their odds in clutch situations.
