Shanaka replaces injured Williamson at IPL's Gujarat

Sri Lanka's white-ball captain Dasun Shanaka has been named as the replacement for New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson at defending IPL champions Gujarat Titans, according to a statement on Tuesday.

Williamson suffered a knee injury in the opening match of this season's Indian Premier League last week before returning home for treatment.

Shanaka, an explosive middle-order batsman who bowls right-arm seam, has joined Gujarat for a base price of $60,855 for his maiden appearance in the cash-rich league.

Shanaka was on fire in the recent T20 series in India, smashing 124 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 187.

Gujarat began their title defence with a win over Chennai Super Kings but lost Williamson early after he jarred his knee while attempting a catch in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat, led by Hardik Pandya, won the title in a fairytale debut season in 2022, and bought the top-order batsman for $243,000 in the December auction.

The 16th edition of the T20 tournament has returned to its home-and-away format after the Covid pandemic as 10 teams battle to be in the May 28 final.