‘Batter ki jagah pe all-rounder, ye kya baat hui?’ – Fans react to Dasun Shanaka replacing Kane Williamson in the Indian T20 League

Kane Williamson has been replaced in the squad for the current Indian T20 League 2023 by Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka, announced defending champions Gujarat on Tuesday. Williamson, who was acquired by the team for a basic price of INR 2 crore, suffered a knee injury on the field on March 31 during the tournament’s opening match against Chennai, and he was later declared out for the remainder of the competition. 

Shanaka, who is set to be signed by the franchise for his basic salary of 50 lacs, will play in his first Indian T20 League season this year. The Sri Lankan skipper is a mastermind player who can be a lethal player for the team with both bat and ball as seen on the international stage, so the transfer could be very advantageous for Gujarat. 

What can Dasun Shanaka bring in for Gujarat in the Indian T20 League 2023?

Gujarat can greatly profit from introducing Shanaka to the team because he has successfully demonstrated his ability to make contributions in all three areas. Shanaka has amassed nearly 3,700 T20 runs and also has 59 wickets to his name in this format of the game. In the second part of the season, the medium-pace bowling of the 31-year-old can be wisely used on used wickets. 

The all-rounder has given his team a new vigour ever since taking over as Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain. When Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan at the major competition in the UAE in September 2022, he even guided the tropical country to their first Asia Cup victory in eight years. 

Shanaka has been Sri Lanka’s go-to rescuer over the past few years, saving his squad from numerous perilous situations. Shanaka stands out due to his toughness, so Gujarat might have been smart to strengthen their squad with yet another person who performs well under pressure. Gujarat are known to chase tricky totals and a player like Shanaka batting down the order, can provide them with some real confidence.

Fans react to Dasun Shanaka replacing Kane Williamson in the Indian T20 League: –

Dasun Shanaka finally in the IPL.

Great to see Shanaka in the IPL, he really deserved a go the way he was batting in the last year or so. pic.twitter.com/prSIaoU5B3

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 4, 2023

Now nobody can stop GT from winning another title, what a signing, Shanaka is gonna be the MVP for them this season!

— Tejas Pujare (@TejasPujare7) April 4, 2023

Dasun has the ability to be a star in the IPL.

— Sumit Agarwal 🇮🇳 (@sumitagarwal_IN) April 4, 2023

Everyone is replacing their injured players. I didn't understand why mumbai indians are not taking any replacement for jhye richardson

— aman khandelwal (@amankha67067791) April 4, 2023

What a combination it would be for GT 🔥👌

1. Gill
2. Saha
3. Sai sudarshan
4. Hardik
5. Miller
6. Sanaka
7. Tewatia
8. Rasid khan
9. Shami
10. Alzari
11. Yash dayal/swanman

What a match winning team for GT 🔥👌

— Sintu bhai (@kLRahul15983288) April 5, 2023

Other than the top 3, all of them are finishers 🔥🔥🔥😲😲

— N Y C T O P H I L E 💛 (@pranavvishu) April 4, 2023

Great replacement..infact Dasun shanaka is a much better option than kane in t20s..

— Broken Soul 💦 (@MeEngrr) April 4, 2023

So david miller benched??

— Akash (@AkashBorude7781) April 4, 2023

Shanaka will score 0,9,2 and will sit in bench as always.

— Sunny Thakur (@iamsunnythakurr) April 4, 2023

At last a quality Asian allrounder, most deserving player to got a contract

— Mohamed Annas (@MohamedAnnas23) April 5, 2023