Gujarat Titans have brought in Sri Lankan allrounder Dasun Shanaka as a replacement for Kane Williamson, who was ruled out of IPL 2023 after injuring his knee in the opening game of the season against Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad.
Shanaka, Sri Lanka's T20I captain, is a batting allrounder who has played 181 T20s, scoring 3702 runs at a strike rate of 141.94 and taking 59 wickets with an economy rate of 8.8. He had scored 124 runs at a strike rate of 187.87 during Sri Lanka's three T20Is in India in January this year. This will be his first stint in the IPL.
In his debut game for Titans, Williamson landed awkwardly - with his right knee buckling under his weight - while attempting a catch at the deep square leg boundary in the 13th over of CSK's innings. He had jumped to intercept a ball headed for six off Ruturaj Gaikwad's bat. Williamson managed to save two runs, palming the ball into the field of play before it bounced onto the boundary boards, but by that point he was on the ground clutching his right knee.
Despite receiving treatment for some time, he played no further part in the game. Williamson has since returned to New Zealand for further assessment and treatment for his knee injury.
Titans are the defending champions having won the trophy in their maiden season in 2022. They began their title defence with a victory in their opening game against CSK.