Former Sri Lankan skipper and batting veteran Tillakaratne Dilshan announced his retirement from International cricket after the 3rd ODI against Australia on 28 August. The all-rounder played his last match in the blue jersey on Friday night when Sri Lanka took on Australia in the 2nd T20 game of the tour in Colombo.
Dilshan, who is the third Sri Lankan after Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardane to reach the landmark of 10,000 runs in limited over cricket, made his One Day debut against Zimbabwe in 1999. Serving Sri Lankan cricket for more than 15 years, the attacking right handed batsman has scored 17,671 runs so far with 39 international centuries under his belt.
Dilshan, who played as a middle order batsman for the longer part of his career, came into limelight when he was called upon to open the innings against India in an ODI in 2007. Grasping the opportunity with both hands, Dilshan later went onto become one of the most innovative and fearless openers in modern day cricket.
The inventor of the ‘Dilscoop’, the 39-year-old holds the record for scoring a hundred in all formats of the game as captain. Looking back, The Quint brings you five of his most astonishing moments on the cricketing field.
1. 161* Against Bangladesh At Melbourne
Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 161* against Bangladesh in 2015 World Cup is his highest score in One Day Internationals. The innings comprised 22 boundaries and no six. Centuries from Kumar Sangakkara and Tilakaratne Dilshan helped Sri Lanka win the match by 92 runs.
2. Hitting 6 Fours In An Over Off Mitchell Johnson
Dilshan is only the second Sri Lankan batsman after Sanath Jayasuriya and fourth overall to hit 6 boundaries in a single over in One Day cricket. His moment came against Australian speedster Mitchell Johnson during the 2015 World Cup match at Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia won the match by 64 runs.
3. 160* Against India At Hobart
In the 11th match of the 2011/12 tri-series in Australia, Dilshan equalled his previous best ODI score of 160* runs against India at Hobart. Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 320 on the board but Virat Kohli’s heroics saw India winning the match by 7 wickets.
4. 104* Against Australia At Pallekele
Tillakaratne Dilshan’s only T20 century came against the mighty Aussies in 2011 at Pallekele. He scored 104*(57) and whacked the Australian bowlers all over the park. His blistering innings consisted of 12 boundaries and 5 sixes. Sri Lanka won the match by 35 runs.
5. ‘Dilscoop’ to Mitchell Starc
The proud inventor of the ‘Dilscoop’, Dilshan had been successful in playing his favourite shot on numerous occasions but his best should be the one against Australian pacer Mitchell Starc. Slicing the ball over the head at a speed of 145 kmph isn’t an easy job and doing the same with calmness calls for appreciation for the Sri Lankan batting legend.
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