Tillakaratne Dilshan

Tillakaratne Dilshan has been a revelation over the past year or so, almost reinventing himself after making a comeback to the national squad in early 2009. A brilliant counter-attacker, Dilshan has the ability to cut loose once he gets set. He was the given the license to play his own game once he took on the role of an opener and has flourished ever since. He was keen on making the opening spot his own so that he could take over Jayasuriya's role once the left-hander retired.

Dilshan announced himself on the international scene with a blistering 163 in his first series in Zimbabwe in 1999. He was moved up and down the order and he failed to reach fifty in his next 8 tests before finding himself out of the team in 2001.

Dilshan's revival was on display when he was recalled in 2003, scoring 356 runs in 3 tests against England and Australia. He went to become a regular member of the team, churning out consistent performances over the years.

Dilshan remained a bits-and-pieces players in the ODIs. An electric fielder at backward point, he chipped in with his off-breaks occasionally and did his bit with the bat, batting in the lower middle order. However, after a lean patch in 2008, he was axed from the team in September 2008. He returned for the Tests against Bangladesh later in 2008 and after some stellar performances in that series, he sealed his spot in the ODIs convincing his captain to use him as an opener.

Dilshan carried on the good form to the Twenty20s as well. After batting at No.6 and No. 7 in IPL 2008, captain Virender Sehwag let him bat at No. 3 in IPL 2009. Dilshan was phenomenal in the second season, unveiling his trademark Dilscoop (a shot played by kneeling down and scooping a good length ball over the keeper's head) and scoring over 400 runs in 13 innings. He continued in the same vein as he helped his team to the finals of ICC World Twenty20 in June 2009, picking up the man of the series award for finishing as the leading-run scorer of the tournament. His 96 off 57 balls against WI won him the ICC Twenty20 International performance of the year 2009.

The rampaging opening batsman also set the 2011 World Cup ablaze with his impactful all-round displays. He cracked 500 runs in nine games at a brisk clip to carry Sri Lanka to the final, not to mention, he chipped in with 8 wickets with the ball as well. With Kumar Sangakkara stepping down as Sri Lanka captain, Tillakaratne Dilshan was thrust to the hot seat across all formats.

Dilshan's leadership skills came under fire as Sri Lanka stumbled to losses in England, UAE, South Africa and even at home against Australia. By Dilshan's own admission, the extra responsibility adversely affected his batting. He quit captaincy after the dismal ODI series in South Africa.

Early in 2011, Dilshan was purchased by Indian T20 League high-flyers, Royal Challengers Bangalore for 650,000$. He was one half of an explosive opening pair with Chris Gayle.

Having resigned as Sri Lanka skipper, Dilshan was back to his run-scoring spree as illustrated by 1119 runs in 2012. During the same year, he scripted a career-best undefeated 160 against India at the Bellerive Oval in February 2012, albeit in a losing cause.

After featuring in 87 Tests, Dilshan retired from the longest format in October 2013. However, continues to be the driving force for Sri Lanka at the top of the order in coloured clothing. He has been one of Sri Lanka's most successful batsman. On December 16, 2014, on his 300th ODI appearance, Dilshan cracked his 18th one-day ton and also passed 9000 runs in the format of the game. He became the fifth Sri Lankan and overall the 15th player to achieve this feat. Sri Lanka went on to beat England in that game and he also took three crucial wickets in the match. Dilshan was declared the Man of the Series for his all-round performance.

On January 23, 2015, Dilshan scored his 20th ODI ton and became the second highest century maker for Sri Lanka. He is also the 10th batsman overall to achieve this landmark. The dashing Sri Lankan opener announced his retirement from ODIs and T20Is during Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in August 2016. His DILSCOOP, however, remains as one of the best innovative shots in the history of the game.

Trivia: Dilshan was formerly known as Tuwan Mohammed Dilshan before he converted from Islam to Buddhism at an early age. He has a five year old son from his first marriage. He is now married to Sri Lankan actress Manjula Thilini. Meanwhile, Dilshan's brother, TM Sampath represents Ruhana, Tamil Union cricket and Badurelia sports club.

By Cricbuzz staff