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The Dilshan story

Tillakaratne Dilshan: all-round maverick and glamour boy

In November 1999, Tillakaratne Dilshan made his entry onto the international stage. But the man who would come to play a defining role in Sri Lankan cricket spent his first several years as a peripheral player in the national team's set-up
In November 1999, Tillakaratne Dilshan made his entry onto the international stage. But the man who would come to play a defining role in Sri Lankan cricket spent his first several years as a peripheral player in the national team's set-up•Getty Images
In Ahmedabad in 2005, in an ODI against India, Dilshan provided glimpses of the batsman he would become. Coming in at No. 6, he steered Sri Lanka from 143 for 4 to the target of 286. His unbeaten 81 off 67 was notable for his energetic running, a hallmark of his game
In Ahmedabad in 2005, in an ODI against India, Dilshan provided glimpses of the batsman he would become. Coming in at No. 6, he steered Sri Lanka from 143 for 4 to the target of 286. His unbeaten 81 off 67 was notable for his energetic running, a hallmark of his game•Indranil Mukherjee/AFP
In the 2009 World T20, Dilshan displayed the full scale of his destructive potential with the bat, finishing as the highest run-scorer with 317 runs at a strike rate of 144.74. He also used the tournament to unfurl his signature stroke: the 'Dilscoop'
In the 2009 World T20, Dilshan displayed the full scale of his destructive potential with the bat, finishing as the highest run-scorer with 317 runs at a strike rate of 144.74. He also used the tournament to unfurl his signature stroke: the 'Dilscoop'•Associated Press
If all that was not enough, he took the wicketkeeping gloves for three Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is
If all that was not enough, he took the wicketkeeping gloves for three Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is•AFP
In World Cup 2011, Dilshan topped the run charts with 500 runs. His finest effort came in the quarter-final, against England, in which his unbeaten 108 helped his side chase down 230 with consummate ease. A stunning return catch in the final to dismiss Virat Kohli kept Sri Lanka in the game, but could not turn it their way
In World Cup 2011, Dilshan topped the run charts with 500 runs. His finest effort came in the quarter-final, against England, in which his unbeaten 108 helped his side chase down 230 with consummate ease. A stunning return catch in the final to dismiss Virat Kohli kept Sri Lanka in the game, but could not turn it their way•Getty Images
Having relinquished captaincy in January 2012, Dilshan was at Australia's throats again. In Adelaide, in the second of three tri-series finals, Dilshan took 1 for 40 to help limit Australia to 271, before making 106 as Sri Lanka romped to victory
Having relinquished captaincy in January 2012, Dilshan was at Australia's throats again. In Adelaide, in the second of three tri-series finals, Dilshan took 1 for 40 to help limit Australia to 271, before making 106 as Sri Lanka romped to victory•Getty Images
Perhaps fittingly, Dilshan's last Test century came against Bangladesh, his favourite opposition (1008 runs at 72.00), at Galle, his most prolific Test venue (1034 runs at 49.23). It was his penultimate Test; he retired after the second Test of that series, in Colombo in March 2013
Perhaps fittingly, Dilshan's last Test century came against Bangladesh, his favourite opposition (1008 runs at 72.00), at Galle, his most prolific Test venue (1034 runs at 49.23). It was his penultimate Test; he retired after the second Test of that series, in Colombo in March 2013•Associated Press
But the end was approaching. During his next international assignment, at home against Australia in August, Dilshan decided the time had come to draw the curtains on his international career. He walked through a guard of honour in Dambulla to play his last ODI innings, and scored 42
But the end was approaching. During his next international assignment, at home against Australia in August, Dilshan decided the time had come to draw the curtains on his international career. He walked through a guard of honour in Dambulla to play his last ODI innings, and scored 42•Associated Press
By the end of 2004, after just over five years in international cricket, Dilshan had played 21 Tests for a batting average of 31.70. In ODIs, he had made even less of a mark, averaging 28.80 after 52 matches and still awaiting his first century
By the end of 2004, after just over five years in international cricket, Dilshan had played 21 Tests for a batting average of 31.70. In ODIs, he had made even less of a mark, averaging 28.80 after 52 matches and still awaiting his first century•Getty Images
It was from 2009 that Dilshan began to play a more central role. He began that year with twin tons in the Chittagong Test against Bangladesh, and went on to enjoy his best year in Test cricket - 1097 runs at 64.52, including six centuries
It was from 2009 that Dilshan began to play a more central role. He began that year with twin tons in the Chittagong Test against Bangladesh, and went on to enjoy his best year in Test cricket - 1097 runs at 64.52, including six centuries•AFP
While Dilshan's attacking strokeplay captured the imagination, his versatility as a cricketer made him all the more valuable to his team. His part-time offspin yielded 106 ODI wickets and often played a crucial holding role
While Dilshan's attacking strokeplay captured the imagination, his versatility as a cricketer made him all the more valuable to his team. His part-time offspin yielded 106 ODI wickets and often played a crucial holding role•AFP
With the bat in hand, Dilshan continued on his merry way. In the first match of the 2009 Champions Trophy, he creamed a 92-ball 106 against South Africa in Centurion. About three months later, he pummeled back-to-back centuries against India, in Rajkot and Nagpur
With the bat in hand, Dilshan continued on his merry way. In the first match of the 2009 Champions Trophy, he creamed a 92-ball 106 against South Africa in Centurion. About three months later, he pummeled back-to-back centuries against India, in Rajkot and Nagpur•Associated Press
Next stop: the captaincy. Dilshan took over from Kumar Sangakkara after the 2011 World Cup, but his leadership stint was short and unsuccessful. A personal highlight, though, was his career-best 193 at Lord's, batting with a broken finger
Next stop: the captaincy. Dilshan took over from Kumar Sangakkara after the 2011 World Cup, but his leadership stint was short and unsuccessful. A personal highlight, though, was his career-best 193 at Lord's, batting with a broken finger•Getty Images
Against New Zealand in Pallekele, later in 2012, Dilshan trumped another chase, stroking his way to 102* off 95 balls in tricky overcast conditions against Trent Boult, Tim Southee & Co.
Against New Zealand in Pallekele, later in 2012, Dilshan trumped another chase, stroking his way to 102* off 95 balls in tricky overcast conditions against Trent Boult, Tim Southee & Co.•AFP
Dilshan became the 11th batsman to notch up 10,000 ODI runs in July 2015. Since 2009, he had kept going from strength to strength with every passing year of one-day cricket, his average ever on the rise
Dilshan became the 11th batsman to notch up 10,000 ODI runs in July 2015. Since 2009, he had kept going from strength to strength with every passing year of one-day cricket, his average ever on the rise•ESPNcricinfo Ltd
The fans came out in large numbers in Dambulla to bid him farewell in the 50-overs format. One of Sri Lankan cricket's modern greats, Dilshan would bow out for the last time in the second T20 against Australia in Colombo
The fans came out in large numbers in Dambulla to bid him farewell in the 50-overs format. One of Sri Lankan cricket's modern greats, Dilshan would bow out for the last time in the second T20 against Australia in Colombo•AFP
Dilshan's ODI returns also improved markedly around that time. In January 2009, in an ODI in Lahore, he smashed 137* off 139 - his second ODI ton, and first as opener. By the end of the year, he was Sri Lanka's regular opener in all three formats
Dilshan's ODI returns also improved markedly around that time. In January 2009, in an ODI in Lahore, he smashed 137* off 139 - his second ODI ton, and first as opener. By the end of the year, he was Sri Lanka's regular opener in all three formats•AFP
Then there was his fielding. Athletic and agile, Dilshan was a spectacular fielder at any position. And he enjoyed that facet of his game. "If all 300 balls came to me, I'd love that," he once said
Then there was his fielding. Athletic and agile, Dilshan was a spectacular fielder at any position. And he enjoyed that facet of his game. "If all 300 balls came to me, I'd love that," he once said•Associated Press
Along the way, Dilshan showed off his unique style and was never shy to strike a pose. Gold chains, earrings, designer beards and funky hairdos all made their appearances
Along the way, Dilshan showed off his unique style and was never shy to strike a pose. Gold chains, earrings, designer beards and funky hairdos all made their appearances•AFP
Also during his captaincy stint, Dilshan blitzed 104* off 57 in a T20I against Australia in Pallekele. In doing so, he joined an elite club of batsmen with international centuries in all three formats
Also during his captaincy stint, Dilshan blitzed 104* off 57 in a T20I against Australia in Pallekele. In doing so, he joined an elite club of batsmen with international centuries in all three formats•AFP
He closed out the year tormenting Australia yet again, when he injected impetus into Sri Lanka's first innings in Hobart with a knock of 147. It was not enough to prevent a defeat for Sri Lanka, but it must have made the Australian bowlers sick of the sight of him
He closed out the year tormenting Australia yet again, when he injected impetus into Sri Lanka's first innings in Hobart with a knock of 147. It was not enough to prevent a defeat for Sri Lanka, but it must have made the Australian bowlers sick of the sight of him•AFP
Age did not dim Dilshan's style either. The usual suspects - gold chain, earring, snazzy beard and fancy hairdo - were all in attendance at the World T20 in March 2016
Age did not dim Dilshan's style either. The usual suspects - gold chain, earring, snazzy beard and fancy hairdo - were all in attendance at the World T20 in March 2016•Associated Press