Tillakaratne Dilshan is light on his feet and heavy with his strokes. The mercurial opener can also pick the length early and play the ball late. Simply put, he innovates and creates.
Now, he will have to display vision, tactical nous and man-management skills as well. The 34-year-old was on Monday appointed the captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team for the tour of England from May. Sri Lanka will play three Tests, a one-off Twenty20 international and five ODIs in Ol' Blighty.
Dilshan takes over from the accomplished Kumar Sangakkara, who led Sri Lanka to the ICC ODI World Cup final. After the setback against India in the summit clash, Sangakkara abdicated captaincy. And the strategically brilliant Mahela Jayawardene gave up vice-captaincy.
Time to build
The idea was to give a new captain more space and time to build a team for the next World Cup in 2015. The selectors believe Dilshan possesses the right attributes for the demanding role.
Dilshan is no stranger to captaincy of the national side. In fact, he led his country to title triumph in the triangular ODI series involving depleted sides from India and Sri Lanka and host Zimbabwe in 2010.
A cricketer with an aggressive mind-set, Dilshan can lead from the front. And senior cricketers, Sangakkara and Jayawardene, are expected to guide the new captain during testing periods. Unity and a sense of togetherness have been the side's greatest strengths.
Dilshan's form at the top of the order in the World Cup was exemplary. He blended solidity with flair, batted with responsibility.
Judicious shot-making saw him emerge as the highest scorer in the competition with 500 runs at a whopping 62.50.
Making his international debut in the Bulawayo Test of 1999 against Zimbabwe, Dilshan has evolved as a batsman and a cricketer.
Along the way he has journeyed from a middle-order berth to the opener's slot.
Dilshan's international record is a creditable one. In 66 Tests, he has 3990 runs at 42.44 with 11 centuries. The strokeful right-hander has also collected 5456 runs in 203 ODIs at 36.61 (strike rate 87.54). And in Twenty20 internationals, he has 758 runs in 32 games at 29.15 (strike rate 120.70).
Natural player
He sizzled during the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England. His eye, judgement of length and reflexes saw him conjure the patented ‘Dilscoop' over the ‘keeper's head.
A natural riding on his skills, Dilshan's unbeaten 96 against the West Indies in the semifinal at the Oval is rated among the finest innings in the game's shortest format.
In Sri Lanka they tell you, “Dilshan is our Sehwag.”
An all-round cricketer, Dilshan's tidy off-spin has proved handy for his side. And he is an exceptional fielder at point.
The man from the town of Kalutara loves to be in the thick of action during all times. Interestingly, he has also 'kept wickets.
The change in captaincy is unlikely to affect Sri Lanka's position as a major cricketing force. The island nation is not short of talent, commitment and desire.
Dilshan seems the right man for the top job.
