"Franchises wouldn’t have had money to buy him"- Gambhir named a SL star who could've fetched big money "If IND vs SL series happened before IPL auction"
India and Sri Lanka are currently engaged in a three-match T20I series, with both teams winning one match each and the third and final game to be played on Saturday in Rajkot. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka has been in brilliant form and has always performed well against India.
In the first game on Tuesday, he played a quick cameo of 45 off 27 runs with three fours and three sixes, but couldn't finish the game and got out. However, he definitely completed the unfinished business in the second game.
Shanaka hit the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan against India, scoring an unbeaten 56 off 22 balls with two fours and six maximums. He also bowled the final over and took two wickets for just four runs, winning the "Man of the Match" award. His all-round performance helped his team level the series at 1-1.
Notably, the IPL auction 2023 saw all-rounders setting the event on fire. The likes of Sam Curran, Cameron Green, and Ben Stokes fetched huge money, and all IPL franchises were interested in them. But surprisingly, no one bid for the Sri Lankan skipper, despite his unbelievable record against India.
He is currently the highest run-getter in the ongoing series with 101 runs in two innings at an incredible strike rate of 206.12 and is also the fourth highest wicket-taker in the series. Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir admitted that if the IPL auction had happened now, Shanaka would have gotten a huge deal.
In an interaction on Star Sports, 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."
On the other hand, the visitors will be looking to win the third and final game to win the series. Both teams will lock horns in a three-match ODI series starting on January 10 after the ongoing T20I series.