IPL 2023 – Dasun Shanaka IPL 2023: Dasun Shanaka has put Indian Premier League franchises in great regret for not picking him at the IPL Auction. The SriLankan skipper continued his good form against India in ODIs as well. Chasing a mammoth total of 374 runs, the visitors never looked in control of the chase, but Shanaka’s century ensured that SriLanka finish on a respectable total: Follow InsideSport.IN for LIVE updates about Indian Premier League 2023
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IPL 2023: Franchises regretting not picking SriLanka captain Dasun Shanaka at IPL Auction, Lasith Malinga says ‘DON’T WORRY’, he will get SOS from someone soon: CHECK OUT
To note, Shanaka was in excellent touch in the T20I series. He finished as the second-leading run-getter in the series behind Suryakumar Yadav. Shanaka amassed 124 runs in three games averaging 62. He played at an astonishing strike rate of 187.88 hitting five fours and 11 maximums. Shanaka was also adjudged player of the match in the second T20I match.
Shanaka followed it up with a maiden century in the 1st ODI. Fighting a lone battle, Shanaka scored a hundred in just 74 balls.
SRH missed out on Shanaka
On Thursday, Shanaka also equaled the record of former SriLanka skipper Lasith Malinga who led the island nation in 84 games. The senior all-rounder is set to go beyond Malinga’s number in the next game.
His last five T20I knocks against India read 47*(19), 74*(38), 33*(18), 45(27), and 56*(22). He has become the first-ever SL batter with over 400 runs against India in T20I cricket.
With all these numbers in his resume and now with his rapidly growing exploits against India in India, some IPL teams must be regretting their choices.
The SUNRISERS were in need of a skipper in the IPL 2023 Auction. But their paddle remained down when the name of Shanaka echoed in Kochi.
SRH signed 13 players during the auction. Besides making Harry Brook their costliest buy, they bagged Mayank Agarwal. However, the question remains unanswered of who will be at the helm next season for Hyderabad.
For Sunrisers Hyderabad currently, Mayank Agarwal and Aiden Markram are favourites on becoming Kane Williamson’s successor.
Dasun Shanaka exploits
In the 2nd India vs SriLanka T20I at MCA Stadium, Sri Lanka were at 138/6 after 16 overs, and it appeared that even 170 would be a respectable total going forward. Dasun Shanaka, however, had other ideas.
The Sri Lankan captain scored the quickest fifty by a Sri Lankan in men’s T20I matches, destroying the Indian bowlers. His fifty-six helped Sri Lanka reach 206/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Fans should be aware that Shanaka remained unsold at December’s IPL 2023 Auction.
After Shanaka’s inning, legendary Lankan player Lasith Malinga took to Twitter to express his shock and surprise at how the SL captain has no takers in IPL. The pacer also added that he is sure that Shanaka will play in IPL soon.
Shanaka in IPL
Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka, has been a great source of motivation for a team that is in transition. He has not only demonstrated good tactical judgement, but he has also used his willow and bowling prowess to win some memorable games for his side.
A guy of that calibre ought to undoubtedly have an IPL deal, right? But that’s not the case with Shanaka. Over the years, the Sri Lankan has entered the auction numerous times, but no IPL teams have ever expressed an interest in him.
At this year’s auction, the 31-year-old was severely underestimated with a base price of 50 lakhs. Shanaka had a strike rate of over 135 and 497 runs in 25 T20 games in 2022. He also has a good medium pace. He also has a tonne of cricketing expertise because he is the captain of Sri Lanka’s white-ball team.
Shanaka has only played in the Bangladesh Premier League in the T20 circuit outside of Sri Lanka and in domestic teams and franchises in the island nation.
IPL 2023: Franchises regretting not picking SriLanka captain Dasun Shanaka at IPL Auction, Lasith Malinga says ‘DON’T WORRY’, he will get SOS from someone soon: CHECK OUT
Editors pick
