Tillakaratne Dilshan

Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan (Sinhala: තිලකරත්න ඩිල්ෂාන්; born 14 October 1976),[1] commonly known as Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sinhala pronunciation: [tilakaratna dilṣān]) is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and former captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team. As the best rated Sri Lankan player in run-chases in ODI history,[2] he is often regarded as one of the most innovative ODI batsmen of all time. Dilshan is considered to be a rare example of a cricketer with notable skills in all aspects of the game, who can bat, bowl, field and keep wicket. He is an aggressive right-hand batsman who invented the scoop, which has come to be known as the Dilscoop, a shot that hits the ball over the keeper. Apart from being an opening batsman, he is also a capable off-break bowler. Energetic in the field, he usually fields at the point region.[3]

Tillakaratne Dilshan
තිලකරත්න ඩිල්ෂාන
Personal information
Full nameTillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan
Born (1976-10-14) 14 October 1976
Kalutara, Sri Lanka
NicknameDilee, Mr. Pallekele
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm off spin
RoleAll-rounder
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 79)18 November 1999 v Zimbabwe
Last Test16 March 2013 v Bangladesh
ODI debut (cap 102)11 December 1999 v Zimbabwe
Last ODI28 August 2016 v Australia
ODI shirt no.23
T20I debut (cap 2)15 June 2006 v England
Last T20I9 September 2016 v Australia
T20I shirt no.23
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1996–1998Kalutara Town Club
1997–1998Singha Sports Club
1998–2000Sebastianites C&AC
2000Bloomfield C&AC
2007–2016Basnahira South
2008–2010Delhi Daredevils
2010Northern Districts
2011–2013Royal Challengers Bangalore
2012Basnahira Cricket Dundee
2013Dhaka Gladiators
2013–2014Tamil Union C&AC
2014Sydney Thunder
2014Surrey
2015Derbyshire
2015Guyana Amazon Warriors
2015Chittagong Vikings
2017Peshawar Zalmi
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI T20I FC
Matches 87 330 80 233
Runs scored 5,492 10,290 1,889 13,979
Batting average 40.98 39.27 28.19 38.8
100s/50s 16/23 22/47 1/13 38/59
Top score 193 161* 104* 200*
Balls bowled 3,385 5,880 258 6,501
Wickets 39 106 9 90
Bowling average 43.87 45.07 29.66 36.16
5 wickets in innings 0 0 0 1
10 wickets in match 0 n/a n/a 0
Best bowling 4/10 4/4 3/16 5/49
Catches/stumpings 88/– 123/1 31/2 356/23
Source: ESPNricinfo, 9 September 2016

Dilshan made his Test and ODI debut during the Sri Lankan cricket team's tour to Zimbabwe in 1999.[4] He is also the second cap for Sri Lanka in Twenty20 Internationals. He is the first cricketer in the history of the game to score hundreds in all formats as a captain.[5]

Dilshan won the Twenty20 International Performance of the Year award at the 2009 ICC Awards for his 96 off 57 ball shots against West Indies in the semi-final of the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England.[6] He also won the man of the series trophy for his individual batting performances in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. He was also a key member of the team that won the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 and was part of the team that made the finals of 2007 Cricket World Cup, 2011 Cricket World Cup, 2009 ICC World Twenty20 and 2012 ICC World Twenty20.[7]

He is the fourth Sri Lankan, and eleventh player overall to score 10,000 ODI runs.[8] Being the third overall and first Sri Lankan to score 1,500 runs in Twenty20 Internationals,[9] he is also the first player to hit 200 fours in T20Is.[10] Dilshan scored 1000 or more ODI runs in a calendar year four times and never failed to amass fewer than 800 runs in any calendar year between 2009 and 2015.[11]

Dilshan was under-estimated[12] in the cricket world as an ordinary player when he batted at number 6 and 7, unlike his revered teammates Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. When he gained the opening batting position, Dilshan became one of the finest cricketers in the world and a legend in modern cricketing history. His quick progression can be seen in his stats: after he moved to the opening position, he scored 21 ODI centuries[13] and all his Test and T20I centuries.[14]

In August 2016, Dilshan announced that he would retire from both ODI and T20I cricket at the end of the series against Australia.[15] He retired from ODI cricket on 28 August 2016 and from T20I cricket on 9 September 2016.

Personal life and beyond cricket

Dilshan was born on 14 October 1976 in Kalutara, to a Malay father and a Sinhalese mother in a family with five siblings.[16] He was educated at Jaffna Sinhala Madya Maha Vidyalaya in Jaffna for primary education, and then at the Moratu Maha Vidyalaya Kalutara Vidyalaya, where he started his cricket career as a teenager. However, his family did not want him to play cricket, so his only goal was to get ahead in sports. Dilshan converted from Islam to Buddhism[17] at the age of 16, and was known as Tuwan Mohammad Dilshan before his conversion. His childhood coach Ranjan Paranavitana stated that even though Dilshan had a Muslim name, he and his siblings followed their mother's religion during their childhood[18] and officially changed his religion and name after his parents separated.[19]

Dilshan was married to Nilanka Vithanage, with whom he had one boy: Resadu Tillakaratne. After divorcing Dilshan, Nilanka filed a lawsuit over child alimony. He was issued with a notice to appear in court after the 2011 Cricket World Cup, but he refused some of these notices. The case was later settled with Dilshan to pay about 200,000 LKR each month for his ex-wife and his son.

The court case was opened again in 2017, after Dilshan had failed to pay some of the monthly fees. On 24 April 2017, Colombo Magistrate Courts issued an arrest warrant to Dilshan due to his absence in the Court.[20] However, Dilshan finally appeared on court on 25 April 2017.[21]

Dilshan is now married to Sri Lankan teledrama actress Manjula Thilini. Their marriage was celebrated in India during the 2008 IPL series. Dilshan has two daughters and two sons from this marriage. Their eldest daughter is Resandi Linama Tillakaratne, and second is Lasadi Dihasansa Tillakaratne. Their elder son is Dihela Dinhath Tillakaratne, and younger son was born in 2017.[22]

Dilshan's brother, Tillakaratne Sampath, is a first-class cricketer in Sri Lanka.[23]

Dilshan is a popular icon at home, and participated in many local events and television programs. He was also appointed as a special judge in Sirasa Superstar, Generation 4.[24] He also participated in a number of entertainment shows, due to his wife's status as a popular Sri Lankan actress.[25][26]

With the invention of his masterstroke play-Dilscoop, Dilshan models his fashion line with the name 'Dil Scoop'.[27]

On 23 October 2014, Dilshan opened a small-scale luxury hotel, named as "Hotel ‘D Pavilion Inn’", situated at Stafford Lane in Kirulapana. The hotel was opened in the presence of the former president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse.[28][29]

After retiring from international cricket, Dilshan and his wife released a video song titled Hema Sansaraye.[30][31]

Dilshan made his television debut in an episode of Kopi Kade drama on 5 April 2017.[32] He also acts alongside his wife in the teleplay Mithuu which is currently broadcast by Independent Television Network.[33] and was one of the three judges of Sri Lanka's Got Talent reality program conducted by Sirasa TV.

Early career

Dilshan first played against Zimbabwe on 18 November 1999 at Bulawayo. He scored 9 runs on his debut and was out LBW to a delivery off Henry Olonga.[34] However, Dilshan managed to score his maiden test century at the Harare Sports Club in the second test between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. He scored an unbeaten 163 runs in the first innings and was awarded the player of the match award for his role in the Sri Lankan victory.[35] Dilshan achieved his highest test score in England, where he scored 193 runs in the second test at the Lord's cricket ground, against England.[36]

Dilshan's One-Day International debut also came during Sri Lanka's tour of Zimbabwe in 1999, where he scored 31 runs against Zimbabwe.[37] His maiden ODI century came against Netherlands on July 4, 2006, where he smashed an unbeaten 117 runs along with Sanath Jayasuriya's 157 to help Sri Lanka post then highest ODI score of 443 runs, which stood for 10 years until England scored 444 runs.[38]

Dilshan real talent came through in their match against India on 15 December 2009, where Sri Lanka nearly chased a mammoth target of 414 posted by India. The pitch at Rajkot was perfect to bat on, Dilshan started the run chase with Tharanga, instead of Jayasuriya. In a blistering knock he reached fifty off 38 balls and then scored hundred off 73 balls. His 150 runs came off 115 balls with Sri Lanka on the brink of a sensational win. His score of 160 was full of hooks, pulls and many scoops of his variety, leading the way to victory.[39] But after Dilshan fell when bowled by Harbhajan Singh, the match opened for the Indian team. They took all the advantages and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 411 runs, losing by only 3 runs. This was Dilshan's third century in ODIs, the commentators described it as one of the best chases in the World Cricket.[40] His knock was later nominated to be one of the Best ODI Batting Performance of the year by ESPN Cricinfo.[41]

He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' by ESPN Cricinfo for the 2009 T20I World Cup.[42] His knock of 96* against West Indies was later nominated to be one of the Best T20I Batting Performance of the year by ESPN Cricinfo.[43]

For his performances in 2009, he was named in the World ODI XI by the ICC.[44]

Later career

Dilshan played almost all his international matches as a middle-order all-round batsman during his early years. However, by 2007, he was selected to open the batting with Sanath Jayasuriya in ODI game against India, where he started to showcase himself as an attacking and threatening opening batsman.[45] Since 2007, his strokeplay has included a host of aggressive strokes which has allowed him to dominate the ODI arena on many occasions. Until retirement, he slotted as the permanent opening batsman for Sri Lanka, as well as operating as a handy right-arm off-break bowler in both ODI and T20I matches.

Dilshan is credited for the creation of the Dilscoop, which he stumbled upon and then perfected, during the Indian Premier League 2009 tournament.[46] His innovative stroke play is acknowledged by many commentators and pundits thereby earning the recognition of being known as one of the most aggressive batsmen of all time. Apart from his Dilscoop, Dilshan is a prolific player of width possessing the ability to hit nearly any delivery pitched outside the off-stump for runs, and has perfected a lethal cover drive against pace bowlers.

Dilshan playing against England in 2011

2011 Cricket World Cup

Dilshan was the top run scorer in the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He scored 500 runs from nine One Day international innings with the best score of 144 runs against Zimbabwe. In the quarter-final against England, Dilshan along with Upul Tharanga, stood double hundred partnerships for the first wicket. This stands as the best ever chasing in a quarterfinal in a World Cup game.[39] He scored two centuries, two half-centuries, 61 boundaries, and four sixes during the tournament which ended at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, in April 2011.

He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' for the 2011 World Cup by the ICC and Cricinfo.[47][48]

Captaincy

Immediately after the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, with Kumar Sangakkara stepping down as captain, Dilshan was appointed the captain of Sri Lanka in all formats of the game. Dilshan said after his retirement in ODIs that, he did not want to take the captaincy, but Sri Lanka Cricket asked him to take the captaincy for six months until they found someone suitable. He accepted the task, but the many troubles in the team such as retirements and injuries led him to reduce performances.

"I didn't actually plan to take the captaincy, but the SLC president asked me to take over for six months until we find someone else," Dilshan said. "Unfortunately, we had also lost two bowlers. Murali Muttiah Muralitharan had retired. Nuwan Kulasekara was injured. Ajantha Mendis was injured. I didn't have great resources. Angelo Mathews had a calf injury for a year that stopped him from bowling. That must be because of my misfortune, because after I had stepped down, we went to Australia, and in that series, Mathews started bowling. That must be because of Mahela's good fortune. At the end of the South Africa series, I put everything aside. I went to Australia, scored 500 runs, and became Man of the Series. It didn't matter to me who was captain. I wasn't concerned about who ousted me as captain. I always play for my country. I didn't worry about those personal things, but I was hurt"

—Tillakaratne Dilshan.[49]

However, his appointment as captain was questioned by cricket fans and pundits alike. Many wondered if he was the right man to lead Sri Lanka. Dilshan scored 193 runs against England at Lord's, breaking the record for the highest individual score made by a Sri Lankan[50] at the venue, and lead Sri Lanka to their maiden test win in South Africa.[51][52] Losses to England, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa put strain on his captaincy,[53] however, which he relinquished in January 2012.[54]

He also said that he had a lack of support during captaincy tenure and help from former captains and coaches for the team. During Dilshan's captaincy, four coaches were introduced, but none succeeded.

"There actually wasn't anyone who was willing to be captain. Everyone resigned after the 2011 World Cup. In England a ball hit my hand and I broke my finger, and the former captains were asked to lead, and they said no."

—Tillakaratne Dilshan.[49]

Dilshan became the 5th player in international cricket to score centuries in all forms of the game. During the Australian tour of Sri Lanka in 2011, Dilshan scored an unbeaten century of 104* from just 54 balls in the first Twenty20 match of the series,[55] becoming the 5th player to achieve the milestone after West Indian Chris Gayle, New Zealander Brendon McCullum, Indian Suresh Raina and fellow Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardena and it is also the highest individual twenty20 international score by a Sri Lankan in the history. He scored the century from just 57 balls with 12 fours and 5 sixes. He achieved his century with a dilscoop hitting behind the wicket-keeper.

For his performances in 2011, he was named in the World ODI XI by the ICC.[56] For his performances in 2013, he was named in the World ODI XI by the ICC.[57]

In December 2011, Sri Lanka registered their first ever Test win in South Africa. This also became their first Test win under Dilshan's captaincy. However, after losing the Test series 2–1 and the subsequent ODI series 3–2, Dilshan resigned and was replaced by Mahela Jayawardene. In 2012, he was ranked the second-highest ODI run scorer, with 1119 runs, behind his teammate Kumar Sangakkara. For his performances in 2012, he was named in the ODI XI of the year by Cricinfo.[58]

Tillakaratne Dilshan batting at Lord's 2011

Test retirement

Dilshan announced his retirement from Test cricket on 9 October 2013.[59] Dilshan retired from test cricket in 2013 with his last match being played against Bangladesh at the R. Premadasa Stadium.[60] Dilshan played 87 test matches amassing 5,492 runs, along with 16 centuries and 39 wickets.

Through the ranks

On 16 December 2014, in his 300th One-Day International, Dilshan scored his 18th ODI century and also passed 9,000 runs in ODIs. He became the fourth Sri Lankan cricketer and 15th overall to achieve this landmark. He also took 3 crucial wickets in the match against England and aided Sri Lanka's title claim as the winners of the tournament. He won both man of the match award and man of the series award.[61]

TM Dilshan on his way to his 18th ODI century

On 23 January 2015, Dilshan scored his 20th One-Day International century against New Zealand, becoming the 10th batsmen to score 20 ODI centuries.[62]

2015 Cricket World Cup

On 26 February 2015, he scored an unbeaten 161 runs during the group stage match of 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup against Bangladesh. This was his highest individual score in an ODI and was the highest score by a Sri Lankan in Cricket World Cup history, a title previously held by Aravinda de Silva, who scored 145 runs against Zimbabwe in 2003. It was also the highest individual score without a six in ODI history and Dilshan's third score greater than 150. During his innings, he shared a 206* run second wicket partnership with Kumar Sangakkara.[63] This was the highest second wicket partnership for Sri Lanka in ODIs, but was surpassed in the following match between Sri Lanka and England by a 212* run stand between Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne.[64]

On 1 March 2015, during a group match against England, Dilshan took his 100th ODI wicket by dismissing Gary Balance off his own bowling, thus becoming the third Sri Lankan to score 3000 runs and take 100 wickets after Jayasuriya and Aravinda.[65]

During a group match against Australia, Dilshan scored 24 runs off a Mitchell Johnson over by hitting six consecutive 4s, a first in World Cup history.[66]

Dilshan's teammates, Sangakkara and Mahela, retired from ODI cricket following Sri Lanka's loss to South Africa in the quarterfinals. When asked about retirement, Dilshan stated that until Sri Lanka found a good opening batsman he would continue to feature in the shorter forms of the game for about 2 years or so. Dilshan got out without scoring in the quarterfinals and Sri Lanka exited the World Cup without making the semifinals for the first time since 2011.

Post-World Cup

On 26 July 2015, Dilshan passed 10,000 ODI runs during the fifth ODI against Pakistan at Hambantota. With this, he became the fourth Sri Lankan and eleventh overall to achieve the milestone.[8]

Dilshan in his last ODI

Dilshan was the second person after Sanath Jayasuriya to score more than 4000 ODI runs after the age of 35 and surpassed Jayasuriya's record of 4,142 runs in 2015.[67] Until retirement, Dilshan has scored 4,674 ODI runs after the age of 35, most by a player.[68]

On 9 November 2015, Dilshan became the highest run scorer for Sri Lanka in Twenty20 Internationals passing 1,493 runs of Mahela Jayawardena. With this feat, Dilshan also became the first Sri Lankan and third overall to pass 1,500 T20I runs, milestone achieved after Brendan McCullum, and JP Duminy. Until his retirement, he was only behind McCullum by runs in T20Is.[69][70][71][72]

During the third ODI against New Zealand on 31 December 2015, Dilshan smashed 91 runs to reach another milestone in his career. Dilshan surpassed 1202 runs by Jayasuriya as most runs by an opening batsman for Sri Lanka in a calendar year. Dilshan scored 1207 runs in the year 2015 with 4 hundreds and 6 fifties.[73][74]

Dilshan finished 2015 ODI arena as the highest ODI run scorer for Sri Lanka and third highest of all-time list. During 25 ODIs played in 2015, Dilshan scored 1,207 runs with the average of 52.47 and strike rate of 90.75. The veteran of 39 years of age, Dilshan showcased incredible all-around ability and had no mercy for the bowlers for all nations, got 4 hundreds and 6 fifties.[75] Until retirement in August, Dilshan has surpassed more than 800 runs each in four consecutive years from 2012 to 2015. For his performances in 2015, he was named in the World ODI XI by ICC.[76]

Dilshan was not totally successful in 2016 Asia Cup, where Sri Lanka lost to Bangladesh and India lost the way to the finals. On 4 March 2016, against Pakistan, Dilshan reached another milestone by hitting 200 fours in all twenty20 internationals and the first player to break 200 fours in T20Is.[10]

Dilshan's consistency as the leading run scorer for Sri Lanka in Twenty20 cricket proved in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, when he scored unbeaten 83 runs against Afghanistan in a pool match. The innings reached by Afghanistan was 153 and, Dilshan started the innings with showers of four and sixes in a consecutive manner in first six overs. Sri Lanka reached the winning moment in the 19th over with 6 wickets in hand, courtesy of man of the match performance by Dilshan.[77] After that innings, in rest of the pool matches against West Indies and England, Dilshan got out by poor umpire decisions and Sri Lanka eliminated from the first round.[78] Dilshan finished his last international major event as the highest scorer for Sri Lanka with 133 runs at an average of 44.33.[79]

Results in international matches[80]
 MatchesWonLostDrawnTiedNo result
Test[81]873328260
ODI[82]330174139-17
T20I[83]804335-11

Limited over retirement

Dilshan was not included in the England tour in 2016; which was due to his personal reasons.[84] But, some local media stated that, the conflict between Dilshan and Sri Lanka Cricket board for his retirement consideration was the actual cause for the refuse for England tour. However, Dilshan denied these rumors.[85] On 25 August 2016, Dilshan announced his retirement from the international arena after the Australian tour. The news stated that, due to immense pressure exerted by the selection committee to reform the limited over squad for upcoming World Cup, the team should have many immediate challenges to do. This forced Dilshan to announce and speed up his intentions to retire from limited overs.[86][87][88][89][90][91]

Many Sri Lankan cricketers wished Dilshan and spoke about him as:

"Dilshan is an absolute match-winner and game changer. He deserves the grandest of farewells. The Sri Lanka cricket team will miss him. He enjoyed a champion's career,". "[I hope to see] A full house, a win and all of Sri Lanka applauding Dilshan in his last ODI. He and Sanath Jayasuriya have been our greatest match winners."

Kumar Sangakkara.[92]

"Opening the batting is the toughest thing in cricket. There's a lot at stake for an opener and not many players excel in that discipline. Dilshan had an outstanding career as an opener in all three formats. He was also a brilliant fielder and an intelligent bowler. All captains wish they have players like Dilshan in their ranks. Dilshan could change games quickly. The dilscoop that he introduced has been played effectively by cricketers in shorter formats of the game with great success. Like Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath and Romesh Kaluwitharana, he left his mark in cricket."

Arjuna Ranatunga.[93]

"Dilshan has been an absolutely brilliant servant for Sri Lankan cricket over the past 17 years. I think he has equally done the service that Mahela and Sanga did, and we're going to miss him a lot. Unfortunately, he had called it a day. We respect that decision and the whole team wishes him the very best."

Angelo Mathews.[93]

He played his last ODI at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on 28 August 2016. He scored 42 runs in his last ODI innings. As said by skipper Angelo Mathews, the match was dedicated to Dilshan, and a win could give him a good farewell.[94] The ground was covered by many tributes to Dilshan highlighting that "A member of 10,000 run club, A legacy of the Dilscoop", "What a Run", "Dilshan You Have Made Us Proud", and "Thank You Dilshan".[95] However, Sri Lanka lost the match by 2 wickets at the end.[96] Until his retirement from ODIs, Dilshan is the 11th highest ODI scorer of all time and 7th highest century maker of all time.

He played his last Twenty20 International at R Premadasa Stadium on 9 September 2016. He got out for a just single run in the match, but his fielding and bowling came back to the highest level. He took 2 crucial wickets at the end of the Australian innings, by ending 17 years of cricketing career. He ended his international career with a wicket off his last ball. At the retirement, Dilshan is the second highest T20I run scorer of all time as well. Commentators summarized his career with the quote "Legends Never Retires".[97]

Beyond cricket

On 1 August 2015, Dilshan and fellow Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan was appointed as the brand ambassadors for the Presidential Task Force to combat kidney disease by the President Maithripala Sirisena.[98][99]

Politics

Dilshan publicly displayed his support to Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 2015 Presidential Election. He did so by welcoming Mahinda Rajapakse to Maharagama for an election rally.[100] In 2018, Dilshan announced that he had joined Mahinda Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party.[101]

In 2018, Dilshan praised the president, Maithripala Sirisena for deciding to implement the Death penalty for drug traffickers. “Not only for drugs, it should be implemented for child abuse and rape cases,” he said, adding that the decision should have been made a long time ago.[102][103]

Fan following

Dilshan is often considered as a cool-headed cricketer with a smile on his face, even with opposition players. He has been known to video bomb fellow players such as Chris Gayle.[104] But after a terrible disaster during the New Zealand tour of 2015–16, when Sri Lanka lost all three forms and lost the number one spot of Twenty20 team rankings as well, a Sri Lankan cricket fan at Eden Park after the second T20 match against New Zealand, was overheard asking Dilshan to retire from cricket immediately. Dilshan was somewhat angry at this and asked the fan, "Are you going to replace me?"[105][106] The issue came on social media as well. After Dilshan landed in Sri Lanka, he stated to the media that he would know when to retire, just as he had in test cricket and Sri Lankans who are engaged outside the country must know their limits.

International records and achievements

Tests

  • He has the highest score scored in Lord's Cricket Ground by a Sri Lankan, where he scored 193 runs in 2013.[36]
  • Highest partnership for the fifth wicket – 280 by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera against Bangladesh in 2005.
  • Only Sri Lankan to scored centuries in both innings in his 50th Test.
  • First successful challenger of an umpiring decision.[107]

One-Day Internationals

  • Second Sri Lankan to have 3 ODI centuries above 150, after Sanath Jayasuriya, where he has 4 scores above 150 in ODIs.[63]
  • Highest individual score for Sri Lanka without hitting a six – Dilshan scored 161* with only 22 fours against Bangladesh. This was a world record set in 2015 and was eventually surpassed by David Warner in 2016 which included 24 fours. But Dilshan's innings of 161* still remains the longest World Cup innings without hitting a six.
  • Most runs by a subcontinent batsman in an ODI Tri-series away from home. Dilshan achieved this feat during CB Series in Australia 2011/12, where he scored 513 runs.
  • Most ODI runs by any batsman since the age of 35. – He has scored 4,674 ODI runs after 35 years of age.[108]
  • Most runs as an opener for Sri Lanka in a calendar year – 1207 runs by Dilshan in the year 2015.

Twenty20 Internationals

  • Highest run scorer for Sri Lanka – Dilshan has scored 1,889 runs in 80 matches with average 28.19. He is second in the list of all time at the retirement.[109]
  • Highest individual score in T20I by a Sri Lankan – Dilshan scored 104* against Australia in 2011.[110]
  • He has the most catches in T20Is by a Sri Lankan – 31 in 80 matches.[111]
  • Highest partnership for the first wicket – 124 by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya against West indies in 2009.[112]
  • Highest partnership for the fourth wicket – 104* by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Jeevan Mendis against Australia in 2011.[112]
  • Most number of 4s – 223 in 80 matches. He is the first player to achieve 200 fours.[113]
  • Dilshan was the first player to score a T20I century as captain and he is the only captain to score a T20I century in a winning cause. His innings of 104* are the third highest T20I score by a captain and it is the highest ever T20I score made by a captain in a winning cause.[114]

World Cups

  • Highest individual score by a Sri Lankan – 161* by Dilshan against Bangladesh in 2015.[115]
  • Highest opening partnership (runs) – 282 by Upul Tharanga (133) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (144) against Zimbabwe in 2011.[116]

Others

  • He is the inventor of Dilscoop and noted as the first instance where a cricket shot has been named by a player's name.
  • He is the second Sri Lankan and fifth overall to achieve hundreds in all forms of the game.[117]
  • First captain to score centuries in all formats while captaining.
  • Highest run scorer in 2009 ICC World Twenty20 held at England, who scored 317 runs in 7 matches with 3 half-centuries.[118]
  • Highest run scorer in 2011 Cricket World Cup, scored 500 runs in 9 matches with 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries.[119]
  • Most ducks in T20 Internationals – 10 ducks in 78 matches.[120]
  • He is the fourth Sri Lankan and eleventh overall to pass 10,000 ODI runs.
  • He is the first Sri Lankan to score 1,500 T20I runs.

Centuries

Dilshan has 16 Test centuries, 22 One-Day International centuries, and 1 Twenty20 International century. He is the first cricketer in the history to score centuries in all formats as a captain. He is the second Sri Lankan and fifth overall to achieve international centuries in all forms of the game.

Acting career

Filmography

YearFilmRole
2011Sinhawalokanaya – සිංහාවලෝකනයHimself

Television

YearTeledramaRole
2017Kopi KadeHimself
2018Mithuu[33]
2018EmyHimself

Awards and honours

  • ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year 2009
  • ICC ODI Team of the Year – included in four years (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015)
  • Dialog SLC People's Player of the Year 2015 (with 493,196 votes)[121]
  • Dialog SLC T20 Batsman of the Year 2015

References

  1. "Dilshan named captain for England tour". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
  2. "Chasing glory". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  3. "Top 10 Best Cricket Fielders Ever". listdose.co. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  4. "Tillakaratne Dilshan". Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 14 October 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  5. "Dilshan's age-defying numbers". ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  6. "Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan leads England's final ODI humiliation". the Guardian. 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  7. "Dilshan leaving IPL on May 11 to join team in England". Hindustan Times. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  8. "Sri Lankan Legend Tillakaratne Dilshan Completes 10,000 ODI Runs". NDTV Sports. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  9. "Dilshan becomes Sri Lanka´s leading T20 scorer in comfortable win". Sports Opera. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  10. "Asia Cup, 2016 – 10th Match : Pakistan v Sri Lanka". ESPNcrincinfo. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  11. "Tillakaratne Dilshan" Check |url= value (help). tillakaratne. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  12. "The forgotten great". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  13. "Batting records: One-Day Internationals: Openers". Cricinfo Statsguru. ESPN Cricinfo. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  14. "The forgotten great". ESPNcricinfo. 2 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  15. "Dilshan to retire from ODIs and T20Is against Australia". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  16. "I was thinking of marrying Sabeetha". Sarasaviya.
  17. Sri Lanka profiles BBC News – 9 November 2003
  18. "Convert and You Will go to Heaven, Pakistani Cricketer Told Dilshan". Associated Press. NDTV. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  19. "Pakistan investigates Shahzad-Dilshan 'religious spat'". AFP. HT. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  20. "Arrest warrant issued on ex-cricket captain Dilshan". Daily News.
  21. "Dilshan surrenders to court". Daily Mirror.
  22. "Dilshan's favourite food is 'polos mellum' – Manjula – Gossip Lanka News [English]". gossiplankanews.com.
  23. Cricinfo Player Profile Retrieved 11 May 2010
  24. "Watch Sirasa Super Star Tillakaratne... – Tillakaratne Dilshan – Facebook". facebook.com.
  25. "(Photos) Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sachithra Senanayake at Derana Champion Stars". Island Cricket.
  26. T M.Dilshan's Birthday Party Video – Cricket 2013. YouTube. 13 October 2013.
  27. "(Photos) Tillakaratne Dilshan modelling his clothing line Dil Scoop". Island Cricket.
  28. "Sri Lanka News – Sri Lankan Breaking news,Hot News – Adaderana – Truth First". adaderana.lk. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  29. Dinesh De Alwis. "Sri Lanka Online Hotels Booking,Rates & Sri Lanka Hotels Info ශ්‍රී ලංකා හෝටල් බුකින්". sri-lanka-hotels-booking.blogspot.com.
  30. "Hama Sansaraye – T.M Dilshan & Manjula Thilini". Hiru TV. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  31. "Duet Song by Dilshan-Manjuala ඩිල්ෂාන් – මංජුලා යුග ගීයක් ගයයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  32. "TM Dilshan join with Kopi Kade". ITN FM. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  33. "Dilshan again in Mini Screen". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  34. "1st Test: Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Bulawayo, Nov 18–22, 1999 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  35. "2nd Test: Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Harare, Nov 26–30, 1999 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  36. "2nd Test: England v Sri Lanka at Lord's, Jun 3–7, 2011 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  37. "1st ODI: Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Bulawayo, Dec 11, 1999 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  38. "1st ODI: Netherlands v Sri Lanka at Amstelveen, Jul 4, 2006 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  39. "The best from Dilshan's school of unorthodoxy". ESPNcricinfo. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  40. "Sri Lanka tour of India, 1st ODI: India v Sri Lanka at Rajkot, Dec 15, 2009". ESPNcricinfo. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  41. "A master, a blaster, a limping captain". Cricinfo. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  42. "The top crop". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  43. "A subcontinent special". Cricinfo. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  44. "Johnson and Gambhir scoop top awards". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  45. "5th Match: India v Sri Lanka at Canberra, Feb 12, 2008 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  46. "Dilshan's ascent". Cricinfo.
  47. "Sachin, Zaheer, Yuvi in ICC's World Cup XI | Cricket News". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  48. "The team of the tournament". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  49. Andrew Fidel Fernando (28 August 2016). "Dilshan opens up on lack of support during captaincy tenure". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  50. "Cricket Records – Records – Lord's, London – Sri Lanka – Test matches – High scores – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  51. "Sri Lanka earn first Test win in SA". IBNLive. 29 December 2011.
  52. "2nd Test: South Africa v Sri Lanka at Durban, Dec 26–29, 2011 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  53. "Dominic Thornely – Sri-Lanka – Cricket Stats and Records – Wisden India". wisdenindia.com.
  54. "Sri Lanka news: Tillakaratne Dilshan quits as Sri Lanka captain – Cricket – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  55. "1st T20I: Sri Lanka v Australia at Pallekele, Aug 6, 2011 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  56. "Dhoni leads ODI team of the year". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  57. "Clarke takes top honours at LG ICC Awards 2013". www.icc-cricket.com. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  58. "The teams of the year". Cricinfo. 5 January 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  59. "Tillakaratne Dilshan to quit Tests". Cricinfo.
  60. "2nd Test: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh at Colombo (RPS), Mar 16–19, 2013 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  61. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  62. "Records – One-Day Internationals – Batting records – Most hundreds in a career – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  63. "18th Match, Pool A: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka at Melbourne, Feb 26, 2015 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  64. Sportal. "Cricket – Lahiru Thirimanne and Kumar Sangakkara set records in Sri Lanka's nine-wicket victory over England – SPORTAL". sportal.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  65. "22nd Match, Pool A: England v Sri Lanka at Wellington, Mar 1, 2015 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  66. "Tillakaratne Dilshan hits six fours off a Mitchell Johnson over". CricketCountry Staff. 8 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  67. "4391 runs after 35, and 2354 outside top five". 27 July 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  68. Jayaraman, Shiva (27 August 2016). "Dilshan's age-defying numbers". ESPN. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  69. "Dilshan and Mathews seal thumping win". ESPNcricinfo. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  70. "World champions Sri Lanka win by 30 runs, Dilshan becomes highest T20I run-scorer". Sportskeeda. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  71. "Dilshan becomes Sri Lanka's top T20 scorer in win". Allsports. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  72. "Dilshan becomes Sri Lanka's leading T20 scorer in comfortable win". Sportal. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  73. "MOST RUNS BY SL OPENERS IN A YEAR – ODIS". ESPNCricinfo. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  74. "Dilshan's nervous nineties and Sri Lanka's steep chases". ESPNCricinfo. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  75. "Records / 2015 / One-Day Internationals / Most runs". ESPNCricinfo. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  76. https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/182259
  77. "Dilshan's 83* sees off gutsy Afghanistan". ESPNCricinfo. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  78. "Badree, Fletcher steamroll Sri Lanka". ESPNCricinfo. 20 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  79. "Records / World T20, 2015/16 / Most runs". ESPNCricinfo. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  80. "Statistics / Statsguru / TM Dilshan /Test matches". Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  81. "List of Test victories". Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  82. "List of ODI victories". Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  83. "List of T20I victories". Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  84. "Dilshan, a firestarter to the end". ESPNcricinfo. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  85. "Dilshan to miss England tour due to personal reasons". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  86. "Dilshan to retire from ODIs and T20Is". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  87. "Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan to quit internationals after Australia series". theguardian. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  88. "Tillakaratne Dilshan: Sri Lanka batsman to retire from international cricket". bbc sports. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  89. "Tillakaratne Dilshan to retire after Australia series". rediff. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  90. "Goodbye 'Dilscoop', Tillakaratne Dilshan to retire after Australia series". indianexpress. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  91. "Tillakaratne Dilshan to retire from ODIs T20Is". icc-cricket. Archived from the original on 30 August 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  92. Sayantan Maitra (25 August 2016). "Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya have been Sri Lanka's greatest: Kumar Sangakkara". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  93. Andrew Fidel Fernando (27 August 2016). "Dilshan contributed as much as Sanga and Mahela did – Mathews". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  94. "Dilshan contributed as much as Sanga and Mahela did – Mathews". ESPNcricinfo. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  95. "Imperfect, but this was just the pre-farewell". ESPNcricinfo. 28 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  96. "Australia seal nervy chase after Chandimal ton". ESPNcricinfo. 28 August 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  97. "Australia tour of Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I: Sri Lanka v Australia at Colombo (RPS), Sep 9, 2016". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  98. newsnew. "Muttiah Muralitharan and T.M.Dilshan named as Brand Ambassadors for the Presidential Task Force to combat kidney disease". slbc.lk.
  99. "Murali and Dilshan appointed as Brand Ambassadors". dailymirror.lk.
  100. "Tillakaratne Dilshan will support Mahinda Rajapaksa in the upcoming Sri Lankan Presidential elections". cricketcountry.com.
  101. "Former Sri Lankan cricket captain backs Mahinda Rajapaksa". tamilguardian.
  102. "Former Sri Lankan cricket captain praises Sirisena over death penalty policy". tamilguardian.
  103. "Dilshan praises MS for implementing death sentence for drug traffickers". Daily Mirror.
  104. "Dilshan video bombs Chris Gayle – Lol Moments at team practice". YouTube. 2 April 2013.
  105. "විස්සයි විස්ස මැච් ඒකෙන් පස්සේ ඩිල්ෂාන් එක්ක ප්‍රේක්ෂකයෙක් රණ්ඩු වෙලා". gossipking. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  106. "Fan asks Dilshan to retire from cricket". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016.
  107. "If at first you don't succeed..." ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  108. "Dilshan's records and success after the age of 35 – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  109. "Records – Twenty20 Internationals – Batting records – Most runs in career – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  110. "Sri Lanka v Australia, 1st Twenty20, Kandy: Tillakaratne Dilshan ton overpowers Australia – Cricket – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  111. "Records – Twenty20 Internationals – Fielding records – Most catches in career – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  112. "Records – Sri Lanka Twenty20 Internationals – Batting records – Highest partnership by wicket – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  113. "Most fours in T20I career – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  114. "Highest T20I innings as captain – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  115. Aamir Salati. "Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, ICC World Cup, Tillakaratne Dilshan & Kumar Sangakkara's brilliance among highlights of Sri Lanka innings - Latest News & Gossip on Popular Trends at India.com". India.com.
  116. "Cricket Records – Records – World Cup – Highest partnerships by runs – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  117. "Records – Twenty20 Internationals – Batting records – Most runs in an innings – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  118. "Cricket Records – ICC World Twenty20, 2009 – Records – Most runs – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  119. "Cricket Records – ICC Cricket World Cup, 2010/11 – Records – Most runs – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  120. "Records – Twenty20 Internationals – Batting records – Most ducks in career – ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
  121. "Chief guest Wasim Akram heaps praise on Sri Lanka: Mathews is Dialog Cricketer of the Year". Daily News. 1 December 2016.

Further reading

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.