DILSCOOP- Lanka’s pride
Sri Lanka team was simply
invincible when it had the services of explosive openers Sanath
Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana who were the chief architects of Sri
Lanka’s World Cup triumph. They were the ones who introduced the art of
pinch hitting to one day international cricket and revolutionised the
batting in the first 15 overs.
 With the retirement of Kaluwitharana, Jayasuriya has been looking for
a suitable partner. Now, Sri Lanka cricket team has found the right man
for the right job in Tillakaratne Dilshan, who won the ICC Best
Batsman’s award in Twenty20 cricket.
Dilshan, who turns 33 on Wednesday (14), has finally got the right
slot in the Lankan batting order and he has justified it with some
sparkling innings as an opening batsman. He won the Twenty20
International Performance of the Year award in recognition of his
explosive knock of 96 off 57 balls in Sri Lanka’s semi final against the
West Indies in England earlier this year.
His smashing innings at The London Oval, with two huge sixes and 12
boundaries, guided Sri Lanka to the World Twenty20 final. His consistent
form during the tournament enabled him to be adjudged the Player of the
Tournament after an aggregate of 317 runs averaging 52.83.
Having received his award from last year’s winner of the World
Twenty20 Best Batsman Yuvraj Singh, the dashing Lankan opener recalled
that merciless knock against the West Indies. “This is a great feeling
for me. I can’t forget that innings - it was so important and I was
really happy about my overall performance in that tournament. It was a
thrill for me to do well in England and do well for my team,” he was
quoted as saying.
It was during the World Cup tournament of the shortest version of the
game that he showcased his astonishing ‘Dilscoop’, a flick-shot over his
head.
This is how Dilshan feels about his ‘invention’; I’m really proud of
myself for having a new shot named after me. The particular shot has
given me tremendous confidence. When I am under pressure, I could still
play that shot and put the pressure back on the bowlers.
He has already proved his credentials as one of the most aggressive
batsmen in the world today, scoring 3,443 runs in 57 Tests (ave. 43.08)
and 3,641 runs in 166 ODIs.
- Dinesh
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