I can serve the people without getting into politics– Dilshan

by Saa’di Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka’s utility cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan who retired from international cricket on Friday said that he could serve the people without getting into politics.

“I don’t know anything about politics a lot of our cricketers have fallen into trouble by delving into politics without knowing what it is,” said Dilshan replying to a question posed by the media whether he would turn his attention on politics like some of his contemporary cricketers had done after retiring.

“Without aligning myself to any political party I have a good following of fans. I don’t want to lose that support by getting into politics. People come into politics to serve the people I think I can do that without becoming a politician,” he said.

“I don’t know what will happen in the future but at the moment I have not take any decisions regarding that. But if any political leader does something good for the country he will always have my support.”

World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga and current chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya are two of Sri Lanka’s leading cricketers who took to politics after quitting the game.

“Since the time I started playing cricket I have had a lot of supporters backing me whether I scored or not I cannot express my gratitude to them in words,” said Dilshan. “I am quite satisfied with my achievements because each time I represented my country I gave 200 percent to the team all the time. That is why I have such a big following and I am proud of it. You cannot put a figure on the support they have given me. There support is important to me than all what I have gone through in cricket.”

Recapping the highlights of his illustrious career which ran from 1999-2016 Dilshan said, “There are several instances in my 17-year career which I can recall especially my Test debut that is something you cannot forget. It wasnot easy getting into the team. The 193 I scored against England at Lord’s I cannot forget that knock. Scoring a hundred at Lord’s is the dream of every cricketer. I cannot forget my career because each time I play I play to win, every match that I’ve played I remember just like the one I played today but I cannot pinpoint on one particular game.”

What’s so remarkable about Dilshan is that he was originally a wicket-keeper/batsman but over time turned himself into one of the greatest fielders the game had ever seen.

“I came into the team as a wicketkeeper when Romesh Kaluwitharana was the main keeper. I was asked whether I could field anywhere other than keep wickets so I discarded my gloves and concentrated on improving my skills as a fielder,” recalled Dilshan.

“I must thank Trevor Penney (former fielding coach of the national team). I still remember after practices you have to make 10 direct hits at the wicket it took me two weeks to make and over 100 throws to make 10 direct hits. By 3-4 weeks I could make 10 direct hits out of 12 balls or sometimes 10 out of 10.

“The present fielders must work hard at their fielding if they are to improve their skills and sharpen them. We have a good set of players and they have a good coach from South Africa (Graham Ford). By working with him they can reach a higher standard on the field. At the moment our fielding is a bit below par. The present players have an opportunity to become a good fielder like me. If someone wants my help I am prepared to get him down to my club and train him to become a good fielder,” he said.

Dilshan’s brilliance was at its peak during the VB Series final at Adelaide in 2006 where he ran out four Australians and inflicted on them their first home finals loss in nine years.

“There are ups and downs in a cricketer’s career he cannot perform all the time he gets onto the field that much the supporters must understand. Everyone goes out to perform well but there are times like now where the team has to go through a process of rebuilding and losses are quite frequent,” said Dilshan.

“We have a good crop of young cricketers in Dhananjaya (de Silva), Kusal Mendis and (Dinesh) Chandimal you will see how good they are in another six months to one year or so. They need a lot of encouragement not criticism because criticism can sometimes destroy their careers and lose confidence. We should pinpoint their mistakes and help them.

“Dhananjaya has a very good future because he can also bowl. He has opened batting with at Tamil Union. About a year or so ago I recognized his talent and told the coach to keep an eye on him. He and Kusal Mendis are two good players for our future we can go a long way with them if they are guided on the correct path. I think they will serve Sri Lanka cricket for a long time.”

Dilshan pointed out that the present T20 side lacked power hitters which was essential for that type of cricket.

“We don’t have big strikers of the ball they are less in numbers, you find them in all other teams,” said Dilshan.

“Even in our clubs circuit I have not seen a cricketer who can clear the boundary. At nos. 6 and 7 we don’t have players who can hit sixes the only player we have is Thisara Perera. We need to get him coached properly and put on the right track. He is the only one we have at the moment. I have yet to see a player like Thisara who can hit so hard in club cricket. You take any T20 team numbers 5, 6 and 7 you find power hitters who can change the course of a game. We will have to find someone quickly before the next World T20.”

Dilshan said that it was sad to finish his career on a losing note but added, “Everyone tried their best to win the match but we were about 20 runs short of a winning total. In the bowling we gave away too many runs to the openers. It’s sad to go out of cricket with a defeat but I performed well in my final ODI and my final T20I so I am quite happy. “Till the South African tour next January I don’t have any cricket so I thought this is the best time to retire rather than train for six months without playing any cricket. With my age and form it could be detrimental to Sri Lanka cricket if I hung around. A lot of cricketers leave it too late to retire I thought the best time to go is when I am fit and playing well.”

Dilshan who will turn 40 in five weeks said that he had got offers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Africa and Australia to play in their T20 leagues but he has not committed himself to anyone.

“I want a little bit of time away from cricket to be with my family because they have sacrificed a lot on my behalf when I was playing. I want to spend a lot of time with my wife and three children. I might sometimes consider playing during their school holidays if there is a tournament around otherwise I hope to spend the entire time with my family,” Dilshan said as he brought the curtain down on a glorious cricketing career.