Glenn Phillips: The Indian Premier League 2025 continues to throw curveballs as injuries shake up team combinations mid-season. In the latest twist, New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2025 due to a groin injury. In response, Gujarat Titans have called upon a familiar face—Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka—to fill the void.
While Shanaka isn’t a like-for-like replacement for the explosive Phillips, GT fans will remember his brief stint with the franchise in 2023. Can he make the most of his second chance?
Table of Contents
Glenn Phillips Out, Dasun Shanaka In: Gujarat Titans Make Mid-Season IPL 2025 Switch
Glenn Phillips Injured, Heads Back Home
Glenn Phillips sustained a groin injury while fielding as a substitute in Gujarat Titans’ win over Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this month. Despite not being a regular in the playing XI, Phillips’ absence leaves a gap in the Titans’ middle-order firepower and depth.
The Titans confirmed that Phillips has returned home and will miss the remainder of the season.
Dasun Shanaka Returns to Gujarat Titans
With Phillips out, GT has opted to sign Dasun Shanaka as his replacement for ₹75 lakhs. Though Shanaka’s numbers in his first IPL outing weren’t impressive—just 26 runs in 3 matches in 2023—his all-round ability and global T20 experience might be what GT needs heading into the second half of the season.
Interestingly, Shanaka was part of Delhi Capitals’ preparatory camp earlier this season but didn’t make the final squad. Now, he’s back in the IPL fold, donning GT colors once again.
Shanaka’s T20 League Form – A Mixed Bag
Though his IPL stats aren’t much to write home about, Shanaka has been active and relatively successful in various T20 leagues around the world:
| League | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILT20 (UAE) | 22 | 364 | 26.00 | 136.84 | 1 |
| LPL (Sri Lanka) | 41 | 794 | 24.81 | 150.66 | 2 |
| BPL (Bangladesh) | 14 | 264 | 24.00 | 145.85 | 1 |
| MLC (USA) | 3 | 27 | 13.50 | 112.50 | 0 |
| PSL (Pakistan) | 2 | 27 | 27.00 | 103.84 | 0 |
| IPL (India) | 3 | 26 | 13.00 | 100.00 | 0 |
Apart from his batting, Shanaka has picked up 38 wickets across leagues, adding value as a bowling option in the middle overs.
Gujarat Titans’ Current Scenario
With 8 points from 6 matches, Gujarat Titans sit comfortably at second place in the IPL 2025 standings. However, the absence of key players like Kagiso Rabada (away for personal reasons) and now Glenn Phillips could test their squad depth in upcoming games.
They next face table-toppers Delhi Capitals, and all eyes will be on whether Shanaka makes the playing XI.
Second Chances in the IPL
The IPL is known for offering unexpected opportunities, and Dasun Shanaka’s return is a classic example. From going unsold in the 2025 auction to now rejoining a title-contending side, Shanaka has everything to prove.
His global experience and cool-headed presence could bring much-needed balance to a GT side navigating injuries and pressure-packed fixtures.
While fans will miss the dynamic Glenn Phillips, Gujarat Titans’ move to bring back Dasun Shanaka adds a layer of intrigue. Will this be a redemption arc for the Sri Lankan all-rounder? Only time—and a few match-winning performances—will tell.
FAQs
Why is Glenn Phillips out of IPL 2025?
He sustained a groin injury while fielding and has returned to New Zealand.
Who replaced Glenn Phillips in Gujarat Titans?
Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka was signed as his replacement for ₹75 lakhs.
Read more: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Guinness World Records: How Many Guinness World Record Does CR7 Hold?
