IPL 2023, RR vs PBKS: Shikhar Dhawan's Shot Injures Non-Striker Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan Cricketer Walks Off Field

Bhanuka Rajapaksa Injury: Although the batter received medical attention after the match had been paused, the Sri Lankan cricketer looked in pain and decided to walk off the field.

The incident happened in the first ball of the 11th over of the Punjab innings.

In a rather unfortunate incident during Punjab Kings' innings against Rajasthan Royals during their IPL 2023 face off at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, one of captain Shikhar Dhawan's shot hit his own teammate Bhanuka Rajapaksa who was at the non-striker end. 

Although the batter received medical attention after the match had been paused, the Sri Lankan cricketer looked in pain and decided to walk off the field. The incident happened in the first ball of the 11th over of the innings which was being bowled by off-spinner R Ashwin.

Dhawan had made good connection with the ball and the powerful shot gave little time for the non-striker to move out of the way of the ball which struck him on his right-arm.

Talking about Punjab's innings, after being asked to bat first the Punjab have managed to post what seems like a strong total at this stage at 197/4. Half-centuries from captain Shikhar Dhawan (86* off 56) and Jitesh Sharma (60 off 34) helped PBKS post this strong total with contributions also from Jitesh Sharma (27 off 16).

Innings Break!

Fifties from @SDhawan25 (86*) & @prabhsimran01 (60) guide @PunjabKingsIPL to a formidable total of 197/4.

Scorecard - https://t.co/Cmk3rElYKu #TATAIPL #RRvPBKS #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/TH1yu2OEPr

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 5, 2023

The captain's innings was particularly pleasing because of the way he paced his innings. While he initially took his time when Prabhsimran was the aggressor, after getting set he went for his strokes and never let Punjab lose momentum. His innings was studdded with studded with nine fours and three sixes and he played shots all around the park, scoring as effectively behind the stumps as he was in front.

For most part, Punjab looked set to get past 200 but Jason Holder and R Ashwin were miserly with the ball conceding 25 and 29 runs respectively picking up 1 and 2 wickets each. Yuzvendra Chahal was the only other wicket-taker for Rajasthan but conceded 50 runs in his 4 overs.