Former India opening batter Virender Sehwag has said that Gujarat Titans all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has been disappointing this season. GT are set to face Mumbai Indians in the second Qualifier of IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sehwag said MI will have to play well against GT because the hosts will be looking to get back at MI following their loss at the Wankhede Stadium, adding that he doesn’t think the five-time champions will make a lot of changes. MI beat Lucknow Super Giants by 81 runs to register their spot in the second Qualifier.
“When they go to Ahmedabad, Mumbai will have to play well against Gujarat Titans because they lost their previous match against MI at the Wankhede Stadium. I don’t think Mumbai will make a lot of changes. I can see Hrithik Shokeen being replaced by another bowler, maybe Kumar Kartikeya might come in. Otherwise, I don’t think they’ll make many changes,” said Sehwag.
He went on to say that Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka has been disappointing this season and has not lived up to expectations. Shanaka was dismissed after scoring 17 runs off 16 balls in GT’s first Qualifier against Chennai Super Kings on May 23.
“I’m not worried about the bowling too much. But I am worried about Dasun Shanaka, GT can play Odean Smith and Alzarri Joseph for him. Shanaka has been disappointing. We had big hopes from him and he hasn’t lived up to even 1 percent to those expectations. GT should play Manhor instead of Shanaka, as he is a batter who can smash sixes,” Sehwag added.
MI will be eyeing a spot in their seventh IPL final when they meet the defending champions in Ahmedabad on May 26. The winner of this contest will lock horns with four-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the final of the competition at the same venue on May 28.
