Sri Lankan cricketer and former captain known for innovative batting, creating the 'Dilscoop' shot, and leading Sri Lanka to 2011 World Cup final
Tillakaratne Dilshan is a Sri Lankan cricketer who revolutionised opening batting with the invention of the 'Dilscoop' — a ramp shot over the wicketkeeper's head. An aggressive opening batsman, effective off-spinner, and brilliant fielder, Dilshan was a match-winner across all formats. He was also one of the first batsmen to successfully open in T20 internationals, finishing as Sri Lanka's leading T20 run-scorer.
Inventing the 'Dilscoop' shot and leading Sri Lanka to victory in the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup as captain.
How They Played
Dilshan was renowned for his aggressive opening batting style and innovative shot-making, particularly his trademark 'Dilscoop' - a reverse paddle shot played over the wicket-keeper's head. He combined classical technique with unorthodox strokes, making him particularly effective in limited-overs cricket where his attacking approach could unsettle bowling attacks from the outset.
Lasting Impact
Dilshan's innovative batting techniques, especially the Dilscoop, influenced a generation of modern cricketers and contributed to the evolution of T20 batting strategies.
Career Honours
- ICC Cricket World Cup 2014 (Runner-up, Sri Lanka)
- ICC World Twenty20 2014 Winner (Sri Lanka)
- ICC World Twenty20 2009 Runner-up (Sri Lanka)
- ICC Champions Trophy 2002 Winner (Sri Lanka)
- Asia Cup 2004 Winner (Sri Lanka)
- Asia Cup 2008 Winner (Sri Lanka)
- Asia Cup 2014 Winner (Sri Lanka)
- ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Runner-up (Sri Lanka)
- ICC World Twenty20 2012 Runner-up (Sri Lanka)
- ICC ODI Player of the Year 2013
- Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World 2009
| Club | Period | Matches | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield Cricket Club | 1992–2016 | 137 | 7391 | 87 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 2008–2013 | 12 | 312 | — |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2014–2015 | — | — | — |