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IPL 2023 Most surprising result - Dasun Shanaka

By SebastianStevens

2023-01-11 06:27:06

Sports

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IPL 2023 Auction brought us many unexpected things, especially the auction results of Dasun Shanaka. This experienced player was expected to shine in the IPL 2023. Unexpectedly, the auction results were upset. Although he hasn't found his team yet, we still look forward to his chance to appear. His experience can bring a lot of help to the team. We look forward to his comeback. We believe that in IPL 2023, Dasun Shanaka will certainly make a mark on the cricket field and show off his skills. He is truly deserving of a chance and we hope that he gets one soon. Without doubt, Shanaka has been an important fixture in the arena of T20 cricket. He has played in T20 leagues all over the world and has also been a part of many international teams. As a hard-hitting batsman, he brings a lot of excitement to the game. In IPL 2023 we are sure that he will be able to display his skills and show why he is such an important figure in T20 cricket. We are certain that Shanaka will get picked up soon and make a memorable mark in IPL 2023. We look forward to watching him play and entertain us again with his skills. He has the potential to take a team far, and we wish him all the best for his endeavours in future. Let's get to know this player in depth!

Shanaka, born on September 9th 1991, is a top-tier Sri Lankan cricketer and the current limited overs captain of their national team. His ability to play as an all-rounder gives him an edge over his opponents; his batting style is right-handed, and he bowls using his right arm in a medium-fast style.

Dasun Shanaka's Incredible Journey Through Domestic and T20 Franchise Cricket

On June 3rd, 2018, Dasun Shanaka was drafted by the Montreal Tigers in the inaugural edition of the Global T20 Canada tournament. In August 2018, he joined Kandy's squad for the 2018 SLC T20 League and went on to become their highest run scorer with a total of 312 runs over six matches—even scoring a century in the team’s final match.

Later that year in October, Shanaka was included in the Chittagong Vikings squad via the draft for the 2018-19 Bangladesh Premier League. By March 2019 he was again on-the-move as part of Dambulla's squad for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament. The following November saw he chosen to represent Cumilla Warriors in the 2019-20 Bangladesh Premier League.

In October 2020, Shanaka was drafted by the Dambulla Viiking in the first installment of the Lanka Premier League. He then went on to captain SLC Greys in the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament and broke records as its highest run scorer, eventually earning him Player of the Series honors. Come November 2021, he was again chosen, this time by Dambulla Giants at the players' draft for that year's Lanka Premier League. Finally in July 2022, he was signed yet again by Dambulla Giants for their third edition of the Lanka Premier League.

Dasun Shanaka's Rise to the Top of International Cricket

Debut years

On 1st August 2015, Dasun Shanaka made his T20I debut as the 58th cap for Sri Lanka. On 19 May 2016, he made his Test debut against England where he took Alastair Cook's first wicket. He unfortunately took 3 for 46 runs with 4 runs in two innings resulting in a loss of an innings and 88 runs for Sri Lanka. On 16 June 2016, he made a strong start to his ODI career by scoring 42 runs from 19 balls and taking five wickets for 42 runs. This feat earned him recognition as the twelfth player and third Sri Lankan to take five wickets on debut in an ODI, while also being named player of the series after the two matches against Ireland.

All-round ability

In September 2017, Dasun Shanaka was re-called for a one-off T20I against India. Though he was unfortunately out LBW for nought, India still won the match by 8 wickets. During the second Test against India, he was found guilty of changing the condition and fined with 75% of his match fee and handed three demerit points.

In May 2018, he received a national contract from Sri Lanka Cricket ahead of the 2018–19 season. For the South Africa series in 2018, he was included to the ODI squad but not to the playing XI in the first three matches. In the fourth ODI, however, he top-scored with 65 off 34 balls - his maiden ODI fifty - as part of a seventh-wicket stand of 109 runs with Thisara Perera while also taking one wicket and involving in a run out. Ultimately, Sri Lanka won by 3 runs via D/L method after 11 consecutive losses which earned him man of the match honors.

Captaincy

In September 2019, Dasun Shanaka was appointed as the captain of Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the series against Pakistan. Under his captaincy, Sri Lanka won the first T20I by 64 runs - their first win after six years - and subsequently swept all three matches, resulting in Sri Lanka's first T20I series whitewash as well as Pakistan's first whitewash loss. He also became only the third captain to win their first three T20Is against Pakistan alongside MS Dhoni and Michael Clarke.

In February 2021, Shanaka was yet again named Sri Lanka's T20I captain for their series against West Indies but missed the matches due to visa issues. Following a 2–1 ODI series loss against England in June 2021, Kusal Perera was removed as captain and he reappointed as captain for the limited overs series against India. Despite losing the ODI series 2–1, he led Sri Lanka to victory in the T20I series and recorded their first bilateral T20I series win against India. In September 2021, Sri Lanka played a limited-over series against South Africa where he took on leading the ODI squad, resulting in a 2–1 series win reported as their first victory over South Africa after 8 years. As an added recognition of his leadership skills, Shanaka was appointed captain of Sri Lanka's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's Twenty 20 World Cup.

In January 2022, Dasun Shanaka achieved his first ODI century with a score of 102 runs against Zimbabwe. Despite his feat, Sri Lanka unfortunately lost the match by 22 runs. On June 11th of the same year, he emphatically turned things around in his match-winning batting performance against Australia. With Sri Lanka needing 59 runs from the last three overs, he came through and delivered 48 off 13 balls - taking them to victory with one ball to spare. For his outstanding fifty, he was awarded man of the match, though Australia ended up winning the series 2–1.

In September 2022, Dasun Shanaka was at the helm of Sri Lanka's squad for the Asia Cup T20 series held in the UAE. His team lost their first match against Afghanistan by 8 wickets. However, with a match-winning knock of 45 runs from him in the next fixture against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka were able to claim victory and enter the Super 4s round. Once there, they scored a record chasing total of 174 against Afghanistan and registered two consecutive chase wins over India and Pakistan to make it into the finals. Here, with a match-winning partnership between Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Wanindu Hasaranga at the top, Sri Lanka posted 170 runs on board which led to Pakistan's collapse of 23 runs short in pursuit. Thus, under his captaincy, Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the Asia Cup for a sixth time.

On 5th January 2023, Dasun Shanaka achieved his fifth T20I half century against India. He finished with an unbeaten score of 56 runs from only 22 balls; he hit two boundaries and six spectacular sixes to bring Sri Lanka's total to 206. His bowling performance in the final over also saw him take two wickets, resulting in a 16 run victory for Sri Lanka and earning him the player of the match award. On 10th January 2023, he scored his second ODI century against India, finishing unbeaten on 108 with 12 boundaries and three sixes off 88 deliveries. Unfortunately, the loss was inevitable despite his best efforts.

Dasun Shanaka's Journey Ahead - What's Next step?

Despite having a base price of just 50 lakhs, Dasun Shanaka, failed to be picked up during the IPL 2023 mini auction. He is of a similar calibre as players such as Sam Curran, Cameron Green, Ben Stokes and Jason Holder who are noted for their ability to bowl quickly and produce powerful hits with the bat. Unfortunately, no IPL teams seemed interested in bidding for him. Maybe the team has other considerations. The team can sign him as a substitute if necessary. He is an all-around player, so the team may well need him as a replacement. MI might consider signing Shanaka as a potential replacement for Cameron Green. No matter which team signs him in the end, we can expect Shanaka's performance. Hope he can return to IPL 2023. While we wait for him to return to the court, we can go to Cr Pati to pass the time, Cr Pati's welcome bonus is very worthwhile! Just deposit at least 500, you can get 150% rebate, bet 30 times the bonus up to 30000!

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