The IPL Auction for 2023 happened on December 23 in which all the franchisees faced a bidding war for the top all-rounders like Sam Curran, Ben Stokes a Cameron Green. However, there was one all-rounder in whom none of the teams looked interested and he is none other than the Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka.
Shanaka put on an amazing performance of power-hitting during the T20I series against India last month, hammering the Indian bowlers. Shanaka, who entered the batting order at number 6, smashed an explosive 45 off just 27 balls as Sri Lanka fell just two runs short of the 163-run target. With a blistering unbeaten 56 off only 22 deliveries, including two fours and six sixes, he then guided the visitors to victory while also picking up two wickets in an over.
Following his outstanding performances for Sri Lanka, former India opener Gautam Gambhir, who currently serves as the head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, claimed that if the auction had taken place after the T20I series, many franchises wouldn’t have been able to buy the Sri Lankan star.
While talking to star sports, Gautam Gambhir said, “I won’t have money, he would be that expensive, the way he has batted. That is what the auction is all about. Imagine if this series had happened just before the auction, some of the franchises would probably not have had the money to buy him.”
Shanaka eventually spoke up about not getting chosen during the auction in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times. He also addressed Gambhir’s comments. The Sri Lankan captain adds that he hopes to participate in the IPL in the future and feels that the batting-friendly conditions on Indian soil allow him to perform at his best.
Shanaka said, “When it comes to India, the pitches are batting-friendly. So, I enjoy those conditions very much. It’s (aggressive batting) in my game, my instinctive reactions come to play there. I don’t mind that I didn’t get picked in the IPL. I’m sure there will be something for me in India in the future. So I’m looking forward to that opportunity to play in the IPL.”
