Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan announced his retirement from international cricket after the limited overs series against Australia. The right will play his last ODI on 28th August at Dambulla last T20I at Colombo on 9 September. A veteran of 329 One day internationals and 78 T20Is, Dilshan has been the mainstay of Sri Lankan batting line up for the past decade. He was the leading run getter of 2011 World cup with 500 runs. He is known for his profilic opening partnerships with Upul Tharanga, once instance when they put on 286 vs Zimbabwe at Pallekele which still remains highest ever in World cup.
In T20I cricket he has amassed 1884 runs with 13 fifties and a hundred vs Australia at Pallekele in 2011. A brilliant fielder at Point, he is still as agile and quick as he was in his younger days. His bowling has proved very handy for SL with 106 ODI scalps. On numerous occasions he has taken the new ball for Sri Lanka in both ODI and T20 cricket.
With Sri Lanka cricket in transition already, this is a big blow to them. They have got the talent. Now it”s the matter of filling in the big shoes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela and Dilshan!
His team-mates, Mahela Jayawardena & Kumar Sangakkara, tweeted about Dilshan”s contributions
Dilshan is an absolute match winner and game changer. Deserves the grandest of farewells. @OfficialSLC will miss him. A champions career
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) August 25, 2016
Wonderful servant for SL cricket. Naturally gifted player. Was absolute pleasure playing with him. Wish @TmDilshan_23 all the best. 👍 enjoy!
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 25, 2016
Sri Lanka Cricket & Lord”s Cricket Ground Tweeted about Dilshan”s contributions
SLC decided to dedicate the 3rd ODI to honour the master batsman Dilshan for his invaluable contribution to motherland #ThankYouDilshan
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) August 25, 2016
.@OfficialSLC's Tillakaratne Dilshan is set to retire from internationals, thanks for the memories & the 'Dilscoop'https://t.co/Cmn6IgKwoJ
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) August 25, 2016
– by Atharva Apte