The Gujarat Titans (GT) have signed Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as a cover for the injured Glenn Phillips for the rest of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Phillips, signed by GT for Rs 2 crore in the auction, injured his groin during the Titans' encounter against SunRisers Hyderabad on April 6. While the New Zealand international did not have a chance to play for the playing XI this season, he was a common sight taking the field as a substitute. He has now headed home for recovery, and the franchise hopes to see him back in cricket soon.

As a response, GT has re-signed a familiar name in Shanaka, who was earlier among the team members for IPL 2023. The Sri Lankan all-rounder played three games during his earlier stint, scoring 26 runs at a strike rate of 100, but did not get a chance to bowl. Shanaka offers a bucketload of overseas experience to the team. The 32-year-old has played 102 T20Is for Sri Lanka, scoring 1,456 runs and taking 33 wickets. He also has experience in 71 ODIs and six Tests.

ALSO SEE: IPL 2025: Heinrich Klaasen’s glove mistake turns Ryan Rickelton’s dismissal into costly No-Ball

Shanaka's Recent Form and Potential Impact

He joins the IPL after a winning campaign with the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, where he performed crucially in allowing the team to claim the title. Shanaka accumulated 164 runs from 10 matches and added four wickets, demonstrating his worth in pressure games. He also played for Sri Lanka's domestic red-ball competitions this year.

With GT fighting to find consistency this year, Shanaka may find himself in for a more significant role under captaincy from Shubman Gill. His addition brings depth and flexibility into a team that aims to build up its middle order.

Updated Gujarat Titans Squad: B Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (Captain), Jos Buttler (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Washington Sundar, Dasun Shanaka, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Arshad Khan, Jayant Yadav, Nishant Sindhu, Kulwant Khejroliya, Gerald Coetzee, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra, Gurnoor Brar, Karim Janat.

Gujarat Titans Deliver Crushing Blow as Phillips Is Out

The Gujarat Titans have been dealt a huge blow in their IPL 2025 journey, with New Zealand's all-rounder Glenn Phillips being out for the rest of the tournament.From reports that Phillips has a groin strain, something that will keep him unavailable for the critical latter stage of the tournament. This is a huge loss for the middle-order batting and team strength of the Titans.

Phillips, who is known for his aggressive batting and rapid fielding, would probably be one of the most important performers for the Titans in the pursuit of the IPL title. His skill to smash the ball during the middle overs and his success as a part-time off-spinner were attributes that the side was keen to exploit. The groin injury has ended that possibility, and the franchise is now attempting to discover a sufficient substitute. The time lost to injury is disastrous for the Titans, given that they are approaching the decisive stage of the tournament when all their games are so critical to them. Team management now has to re-schedule the team and replace a player with one that will be able to do justice in filling the void of Phillips' absence. Effect on Titans' Middle-Order and Strategic Realignment

The loss of Glenn Phillips will certainly leave a humongous void in the Gujarat Titans' middle-order.

Pressure cricket and belligerent batting from him assisted his side in coming out on top. The batting order of the Titans will also have to contend with changes during his absence, and other team members would have to raise their game and shoulder increased responsibility. The team may well have to look at their bench strength or include a cover player, possibly an international all-rounder or specialist middle-order bat. In addition, Phillips' periodic bowling provided stability to Titans' bowling attack and gave the captain more options in pivotal phases of the game.

Also Read:-IPL 2025 update: Teams rising and falling this season

His absence will compel the team to rethink their bowling strategy and most probably have to depend more on their primary bowlers. The coaching team will have to study the strengths and weaknesses of the team and make strategic changes to keep their competitive advantage. The Titans' capacity to respond to this unforeseen loss will be a crucial determinant of their fate in the remainder of the IPL 2025 season.

In a cruel twist of fate in Match 19 of IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans' Glenn Phillips got what seemed to be a groin injury while attempting a fielding act, putting a cloud on his debut game for the season.

Phillips, who came in as a substitute fielder, was a part of a routine fielding action in the sixth over of Sunrisers Hyderabad's innings. With Prasidh Krishna bowling to Ishan Kishan, the left-handed batter drove the ball to point and took a quick single. Phillips reacted sharply, running in and letting out a crisp throw in the direction of the stumps. But as soon as he had released the throw, he fell to the grass, cradling his groin in apparent agony.

The stadium audience gasped as the Kiwi all-rounder stayed motionless for a couple of seconds. The Gujarat Titans' physio rushed out immediately, and following some delay, Phillips was helped off the field, clearly in pain. The injury remains to be officially determined by the franchise.

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Gujarat Titans Hit by Early Setback

The match was fought out after what had been an electrifying beginning to the game. Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to field first, looking to cash in on SRH's recent run of poor form. Three consecutive losses had brought them down to the bottom rung of the points table.

Mohammed Siraj provided GT with a flying start, relegating Travis Head in the very first over for a meager 8 runs. The old pacer went on to complete his 100th IPL wicket by dispatching Abhishek Sharma for 18, caught by Rahul Tewatia. Prasidh Krishna continued with the rout by removing Ishan Kishan, caught for 17, leaving SRH at 50/3 after eight overs.

🚨 Injury for Glenn Phillips! 😦

The GT batter's fielding effort might have pulled his groin!

Watch LIVE action ➡ https://t.co/meyJbjwpV0#IPLonJioStar 👉 #SRHvGT | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/kChy6hl8AF

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 6, 2025

Nitish Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen then began rebuilding, rescuing a 50-run partnership to steady the ship. Klaasen was the more aggressive of the two, thrashing 27 off just 19 balls before falling to R Sai Kishore in the 14th over. The left-arm spinner struck again some time later, dismissing Reddy for a handy 31, leaving SRH at 105/5 as they headed towards the second time-out.

A Blow to GT's Bench Strength

Phillips's injury is not just a disappointment on a personal level but also a strategic blow to the Gujarat Titans. Chosen for ₹2 crore at the IPL 2025 mega-auction, the New Zealand sensation was envisioned as a utility player providing explosive batting, valuable bowling, and excellent fielding to the side. In a twist of fate, it was his opening match of the season on the field, and as a replacement player to boot.

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Although he hadn't yet been included in the playing XI, Phillips had been a vocal figure in and around the squad, celebrated for his athleticism and upbeat attitude. Off the field, he's equally celebrated for his sporting multidisciplinary approach, having attempted golf, archery, and padel between cricketing activity.

Earlier in the season, Phillips had also shown concern regarding the Impact Player rule, noting how it would make it more difficult for all-rounders like him to push their way into the team. His injury now adds to the uncertainty regarding his role and availability in the future. While their camp has not been officially reported, initial signs point to a hamstring or groin pull, both of which have differing recovery periods. Medical professionals advise that slight pulls may take mere weeks to get over, while severe cases can take over a month or risk a player missing the remainder of his season.

For the time being, the Gujarat Titans will hope for the best as they juggle a crowded schedule and aim to keep going on a high after an impressive beginning to their campaign. As for Glenn Phillips, fans across the globe will be wishing him a quick recovery and hoping to be back watching him do what he does best illuminating the field with his never-ending energy and game-altering talent.

Performances in batting, particularly in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, have been outstanding, such as in the hitting of sixes. Numerous contestants were aggressive in their hitting and contributed greatly to the success of their teams by hitting the ball out of the stadium. Let's analyze the best performers in hitting sixes in the tournament to date.

Most Sixes in Champions Trophy 2025

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The tournament in question of Champions Trophy 2025 has seen some amazing astounding aggression in batting from all the teams. With many matches still to be played, this could change as batters are attempting to take bigger and bigger shots. Get ready for even more powerful glaring sixes and great performances, as we are in for a treat!

Indian Team lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after defeating New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Stadium. The tournament was played in a hybrid format India’s matches, including the semifinal and final, were held in Dubai, while the rest of the games took place in Pakistan across Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, the ICC picked Mitchell Santner as the captain of their Team of the Tournament for his brilliant captaincy in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan, the defending champions and hosts, had a tough time in the tournament, failing to win a single game. They lost their first two matches to New Zealand and India, while their last group-stage game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain. Pakistan has a tough time in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament

1. Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
   Rachin Ravindra had an outstanding tournament, scoring 251 runs at an average of 62.75, including two centuries. His brilliant performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

2. Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)
   Ibrahim Zadran was Afghanistan’s standout batter, scoring 216 runs at an average of 72, including a century. Unfortunately, Afghanistan’s journey ended early after their last group-stage match against Australia was washed out.

3. Virat Kohli (India)
   Virat Kohli once again showed his class, scoring an unbeaten century against Pakistan. He finished the tournament with 218 runs at an average of 54.5.

4. Shreyas Iyer (India)
   Shreyas Iyer was solid in India’s middle order, scoring 243 runs at an average of 48.6, with two crucial fifties and helping India to win the Crucial final against New Zealand.

5. KL Rahul (wk) (India)
   KL Rahul made valuable contributions both with the bat and behind the stumps. He scored 140 runs at an incredible average of 140, with his highest score being 42*. His unbeaten knock in the final against New Zealand played a big role in India’s victory.

6. Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
   Glenn Phillips was one of the best fielders in the tournament, taking five catches. He also contributed with the bat, scoring 177 runs at an average of 59, and even took two wickets.

7. Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
   Azmatullah Omarzai was impressive with both bat and ball. He scored 126 runs at an average of 42 and picked up seven wickets, including a brilliant five-wicket haul.

8. Mitchell Santner (c) (New Zealand)
   Mitchell Santner was chosen as the captain after leading New Zealand to the final. He had a solid tournament with the ball, taking nine wickets at an average of 26.6 and an economy rate of 4.80.

9. Mohammed Shami (India)
   Mohammed Shami played a key role in India's bowling attack, picking up nine wickets in the tournament. He made a strong start with a five-wicket haul in India's opening match against Bangladesh.

10. Matt Henry (New Zealand)
    Matt Henry was one of the standout bowlers of the tournament, taking 10 wickets at an average of 16.7 with an economy of 5.32. Unfortunately, he was ruled out of the final beacuse of injury.

11. Varun Chakaravarthy (India)
    Varun Chakaravarthy was one of the brilliant spinners in the tournament. He picked up nine wickets at an average of 15.1 while keeping his economy rate at just 4.53.

    12: Axar Patel (India)
          Axar Patel was among the top all-rounders in the tournament. He took five wickets at an average of 39.2 with an economy of 4.35. He also made valuable                contributions with the bat, scoring 109 runs, including a crucial 29-run knock in the final in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

ICC squad of Champions Trophy

Rachin Ravindra, Ibrahim Zadran, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Glenn Phillips, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mitchell Santner (c), Mohammed Shami, Matt Henry, Varun Chakaravarthy, 12th player: Axar Patel

 Part Time Phillips Dismisses Gill  

Phillips started out well with the bat, scoring confidently along with Rohit Sharma. With a well built score of 29 runs, Gill looked set and even ready to score more. But Phillips, known for his batting was introduced as a part time bowler. Instead of helping the Indians, his strike rate and scoring ability got him in trouble. Phillips delivered a well directed bowl and the resultant dance from Gill was what the New Zealand team needed.  

Glen Philips - You fucking beautiful man
What a brilliant catch 🔥🔥#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/taoUFmQAoR

— Sachin ( Modi Ka Parivar ) (@SM_8009) March 9, 2025

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Current Situation & Score of The Match

India are currently situated at 113/2 out of a possible 251 runs in a span of 18 overs. Sharma is striking well and has crossed the 60 mark with shreyas iyer . At this point in time, the match seems like an exact tie simply beaten by the number of runs needed from overs. 152 runs requiring in 32 overs, even the Indians are back into the match.

The astounding eccentricity of Phillips showcases something unique to cricket, a whole new player with a whole new type of talent who does not play professional cricket can enter the field and steal the astounding nature of the game with open arms. It is now and forever has been the complete design for a game so many people built around all over the world for the demo all of us are yet to witness.

Watching teams play harder, is the treated wonder yet to come in our world. The trophy awaits ‘Champions’

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the best performers of February in international cricket, identifying three men and three women cricketers who performed exceptionally well on the field.

Men's Player of the Month Nominees

Shubman Gill (India): Made 406 runs at more than 100 average, including a century against Bangladesh and important contributions in India's series victory over England.

Glenn Phillips (New Zealand): Starred in the Tri-Nation Series with a century and solid performances in the Champions Trophy opener.

Steve Smith (Australia): Led Australia to a Test series sweep over Sri Lanka with back-to-back centuries.

Steve Smith 🇦🇺
Shubman Gill 🇮🇳
Glenn Phillips 🇳🇿

Three standout performers and in-form batters have been nominated for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for February! 🥇❤️

Who deserves to win? 🤔🏆#SteveSmith #ShubmanGill #GlennPhillips #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/y46iEVoU97

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) March 7, 2025

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Women’s Player of the Month Nominees

Alana King (Australia): Took nine wickets in the Women’s Ashes Test, delivering a match-winning performance.

Thipatcha Putthawong (Thailand): Led the wicket charts in the Nepal Women’s Tri-Nation Series and played a crucial all-round role.

Annabel Sutherland (Australia): Scored 163 in the Ashes Test, becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the venue.

Two top spinners and one powerhouse all-rounder have been named as nominees for the ICC Women's Player of the Month for February 👏

More 👇

— ICC (@ICC) March 7, 2025

Voting Process

The ICC Voting Academy and fans worldwide will vote to decide the winners. Fans can cast their votes at icc-cricket.com/awards, with results announced next week.

New Zealand cricketer Glenn Phillips is outstanding in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against the hosts and defending champions Pakistan. After scoring valuable runs with the bat to guide the Blackcaps to a strong total at the National Stadium in Karachi, Phillips took a stunner to dismiss Pakistan in-form captain Mohammad Rizwan in early of the innings. 

After asking the visitors to bat first, hosts Pakistan have got a big target of 321 runs in the tournament opener, where the pitch wasn't smooth enough for the batters. Chasing down the big target, Pakistan openers failed to provide strong start. As Fakhar Zaman couldn't bat for the first 25 minutes of the innings due to his absent in the first innings after an injury. 

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy is also very important for us: Rohit Sharma

Glenn Phillips stunner removed Mohammad Rizwan

At the end of the first powerplay, Pakistan only managed to score 22 runs and they lost two wickets, including the skipper Mohammad Rizwan's wicket on the last ball of the 10th over. It was a short and wide delivery from the in-form Blackcaps pacer Will O’Rourke, Rizwan went for a cut short which travelled over the backward point, and Glenn Phillips grabbed that chance spectacularly to purchase an important wicket for his team. Rizwan only managed to score three runs off 14 balls. 

THAT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD 😲

Glenn Phillips with an absolute Stunner to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan UNBELIEVABLE pic.twitter.com/9av4IThlag

— Sports Production (@SSpotlight71) February 19, 2025

Glenn Phillips scored valuable 61 off 39 balls

Earlier in the first innings of the match, opener Will Young and the no.4 batter set the tone of the innings, which resulted in twin centuries from them. However, Glenn Phillips became the crucial difference between the teams by slamming 61 runs off 39 balls with the help of three fours and four sixes. Although he scored 17 off the first 21 balls, that cautious start paid him off at the end. He later, delivered with the fielding and bowling. Apart from the stunning catch, Phillips also saved many runs with his outstanding fielding. 

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is about to start, and the match today is a thrilling encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand. The match will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi and is all set to begin at 2:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time). Cricket enthusiasts around the globe are waiting for the live match to be viewed through different TV channels and online streaming websites.

• Match : NZ VS PAK
• Date: February 19th, 2025
• Time:  2:30 PM IST
• Venue: Karachi

LIVE STREAMING DETAILS

ALSO READ: PAK vs NZ Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win? | Match 01, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Preview & Analysis

NEW ZEALAND

Rachin Ravindra/ Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Will O Rourke, Matt Henry

PAKISTAN

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khusdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed