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{{Short description|Sri Lankan cricketer (born 1976)}}
{{Pp-move-dispute|small=yes}}
{{Family name hatnote|Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage|lang=Sinhala}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox cricketer
|                name = Tillakaratne Dilshan
|             country = Sri Lanka
|               image = Tillakaratne Dilshan portrait.jpg
|            fullname = Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan
|            nickname = TM, Dilee, Mr. Pallekele
|          birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|10|14|df=yes}}
|         birth_place = [[Kalutara]], Sri Lanka
|              family = [[Tillakaratne Sampath]] (brother)
|             batting = Right-handed
|             bowling = Right-arm [[off spin]]
|                role = [[Batting order (cricket)#All Rounder and Wicketkeeper|All Rounder and Wicketkeeper]]
|       international = true
|   internationalspan = 1999–2016
|       testdebutdate = 18 November
|       testdebutyear = 1999
|    testdebutagainst = Zimbabwe
|             testcap = 79
|        lasttestdate = 16 March
|        lasttestyear = 2013
|     lasttestagainst = Bangladesh
|        odidebutdate = 11 December
|        odidebutyear = 1999
|     odidebutagainst = Zimbabwe
|              odicap = 102
|         lastodidate = 28 August
|         lastodiyear = 2016
|           odishirt = 23
|      lastodiagainst = Australia
|       T20Idebutdate = 15 June
|       T20Idebutyear = 2006
|    T20Idebutagainst = England
|             T20Icap = 2
|        lastT20Idate = 9 September
|        lastT20Iyear = 2016
|     lastT20Iagainst = Australia
|            T20Ishirt = 23
|               club1 = [[Kalutara Town Club]]
|               year1 = 1996–1998
|               club2 = [[Singha Sports Club]]
|               year2 = 1997–1998
|               club3 = [[Sebastianites Cricket and Athletic Club|Sebastianites C&AC]]
|               year3 = 1998–2000
|               club4 = [[Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club|Bloomfield C&AC]]
|               year4 = 2000
|               club5 = [[Basnahira South cricket team|Basnahira South]]
|               year5 = 2007–2016
|               club6 = [[Delhi Daredevils]]
|               year6 = 2008–2010
|               club7 = [[Northern Districts Knights|Northern Districts]]
|               year7 = 2010
|               club8 = [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]]
|               year8 = 2011–2013
|               club9 = [[Basnahira Cricket Dundee]]
|               year9 = 2012
|              club10 = [[Dhaka Gladiators]]
|              year10 = 2013
|              club11 = [[Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club|Tamil Union C&AC]]
|              year11 = 2013–2014
|              club12 = [[Sydney Thunder]]
|              year12 = 2014
|              club13 = [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey]]
|              year13 = 2014
|              club14 = [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]]
|              year14 = 2015
|              club15 = [[Guyana Amazon Warriors]]
|              year15 = 2015
|              club16 = [[Chittagong Vikings]]
|              year16 = 2015
|              club17 = [[Peshawar Zalmi]]
|              year17 = 2017
|             columns = 4
|             column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
|            matches1 = 87
|               runs1 = 5,492
|            bat avg1 = 40.98
|           100s/50s1 = 16/23
|          top score1 = 193
|         deliveries1 = 3,385
|            wickets1 = 39
|           bowl avg1 = 43.87
|            fivefor1 = 0
|             tenfor1 = 0
|       best bowling1 = 4/10
|  catches/stumpings1 = 88/–
|             column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|            matches2 = 330
|               runs2 = 10,290
|            bat avg2 = 39.27
|           100s/50s2 = 22/47
|          top score2 = 161[[not out|*]]
|         deliveries2 = 5,880
|            wickets2 = 106
|           bowl avg2 = 45.07
|            fivefor2 = 0
|             tenfor2 = 0
|       best bowling2 = 4/4
|  catches/stumpings2 = 123/1
|             column3 = [[Twenty20 International|T20I]]
|            matches3 = 80
|               runs3 = 1,889
|            bat avg3 = 28.19
|           100s/50s3 = 1/13
|          top score3 = 104[[not out|*]]
|         deliveries3 = 258
|            wickets3 = 9
|           bowl avg3 = 29.66
|            fivefor3 = 0
|             tenfor3 = 0
|       best bowling3 = 3/16
|  catches/stumpings3 = 31/2
|             column4 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|            matches4 = 233
|               runs4 = 13,979
|            bat avg4 = 38.8
|           100s/50s4 = 38/59
|          top score4 = 200[[not out|*]]
|         deliveries4 = 6,501
|            wickets4 = 90
|           bowl avg4 = 36.16
|            fivefor4 = 1
|             tenfor4 = 0
|       best bowling4 = 5/49
|  catches/stumpings4 = 356/23
|                date = 9 September
|                year = 2016
|              source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/48472.html ESPNricinfo
| medaltemplates = <!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{SRI}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007 West-Indies]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011 India–Bangladesh–Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[ICC T20 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014 Bangladesh]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009 England]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2012 ICC World Twenty20|2012 Sri Lanka]]|}}
}}

'''Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan''' ({{langx|si|තිලකරත්න මුදියන්සේලාගේ ඩිල්ෂාන්}}; born 14 October 1976),<ref>{{cite web|title=Dilshan named captain for England tour|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/current/story/511618.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111221041/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/current/story/511618.html|archive-date=11 November 2020|access-date=18 April 2011|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> commonly known as '''TM Dilshan''' ({{IPA|si|tilakaratna dilṣān}}) is a former Sri Lankan [[cricket]]er and former captain of the [[Sri Lanka national cricket team]]. He is often regarded as the best rated Sri Lankan player in run-chases in ODI history and one of the most innovative players of all time. He was the top run scorer in the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]] with 500 runs, and scored a century against England in the quarter-final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chasing glory|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/680209.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715201616/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/680209.html|archive-date=15 July 2019|access-date=18 October 2014|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Dilshan is considered to be a rare example of a cricketer with notable skills in all aspects of the game, who can bat, bowl, field and keep wicket. He is an aggressive right-hand batsman who invented the scoop, which has come to be known as the [[Dilscoop]], a shot that hits the ball over the keeper. Apart from being an opening batsman, he is also a capable [[off-break]] bowler. Energetic in the field, he usually fielded at the [[Fielding (cricket)|point]] region.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 10 Best Cricket Fielders Ever|date=24 September 2014|url=http://listdose.co/top-10-best-cricket-fielders-ever/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925172948/http://listdose.co/top-10-best-cricket-fielders-ever/|archive-date=25 September 2020|access-date=11 March 2017|publisher=listdose.co}}</ref> He was part of the Sri Lankan team that won the [[2014 ICC World Twenty20]].

Dilshan made his Test and ODI debut during the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Zimbabwe in 1999–2000|Sri Lankan cricket team's tour to Zimbabwe in 1999]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tillakaratne Dilshan|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/48472.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014075430/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/48472.html|archive-date=14 October 2019|access-date=12 December 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> He is also the second cap for Sri Lanka in Twenty20 Internationals. He is the first cricketer in the history of the game to score hundreds in all formats as a captain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dilshan's age-defying numbers|url=http://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/17402649/dilshan-age-defying-numbers|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015085315/https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/17402649/dilshan-age-defying-numbers|archive-date=15 October 2019|access-date=25 August 2016|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Dilshan won the Twenty20 International Performance of the Year award at the [[2009 LG ICC Awards|2009 ICC Awards]] for his 96 off 57 ball shots against West Indies in the semi-final of the [[2009 ICC World Twenty20]] in England.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 December 2014|title=Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan leads England's final ODI humiliation|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/dec/16/sri-lanka-tillakaratne-dilshan-england-final-odi-humiliation|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508231054/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/dec/16/sri-lanka-tillakaratne-dilshan-england-final-odi-humiliation|archive-date=8 May 2015|access-date=12 December 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> He also won the man of the series trophy for his individual batting performances in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 tournament. He was also a key member of the team that won the [[2014 ICC World Twenty20]] and was part of the team that made the finals of [[2007 Cricket World Cup]], [[2011 Cricket World Cup]], [[2009 ICC World Twenty20]] and [[2012 ICC World Twenty20]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 May 2011|title=Dilshan leaving IPL on May 11 to join team in England|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/dilshan-leaving-ipl-on-may-11-to-join-team-in-england/story-05zJult6YFkEcFBFX5qdzH.html|access-date=12 December 2020|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en}}</ref>

He is the fourth Sri Lankan, and eleventh player overall to score [[List of players who have scored 10,000 or more runs in One Day International cricket|10,000 ODI runs]].<ref name="Dilshan">{{cite web |url=http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/246101-sri-lankan-legend-tillakaratne-dilshan-completes-10-000-odi-runs |title=Sri Lankan Legend Tillakaratne Dilshan Completes 10,000 ODI Runs |access-date=26 July 2015 |work=NDTV Sports}}</ref> Being the third overall and first Sri Lankan to score 1,500 runs in [[Twenty20 International]]s,<ref>{{cite web|title=Dilshan becomes Sri Lanka´s leading T20 scorer in comfortable win|url=http://sports.opera.com/administration@sigbasket.fr?sport=soccer&page=news&view=article&news_id=683833&localization_id=www|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212130821/http://sports.opera.com/administration@sigbasket.fr?sport=soccer&page=news&view=article&news_id=683833&localization_id=www|archive-date=12 February 2019|access-date=10 November 2015|work=Sports Opera}}</ref> he is also the first player to hit 200 fours in T20Is.<ref name="mostfours">{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/asia-cup-2015-16/engine/match/966763.html | title=Asia Cup, 2016 – 10th Match : Pakistan v Sri Lanka | publisher=ESPNcrincinfo | access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Dilshan scored 1000 or more ODI runs in a calendar year four times and never failed to amass fewer than 800 runs in any calendar year between 2009 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tillakaratne Dilshan|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/players/tillakaratne-dilshan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031131850/https://www.cricketcountry.com/players/tillakaratne-dilshan/|archive-date=31 October 2020|access-date=12 March 2021 |website=tillakaratne|language=en-US}}</ref> His innings of 104 not out is currently the highest individual T20 score made by a Sri Lankan in the format.

Dilshan was under-estimated<ref>{{cite web|title=The forgotten great|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-forgotten-great-that-is-tillakaratne-dilshan-947749|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926144819/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20428515/the-forgotten-great-tillakaratne-dilshan|archive-date=26 September 2020|access-date=12 December 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> in the cricket world as an ordinary player when he batted at number 6 and 7, unlike his revered teammates [[Mahela Jayawardene]] and [[Kumar Sangakkara]]. When he gained the opening batting position, Dilshan became one of the finest cricketers in the world and a legend in modern cricketing history. His quick progression can be seen in his stats: after he moved to the opening position, he scored 21 ODI centuries<ref>{{cite web|title=Batting records: One-Day Internationals: Openers|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_positionmin1=1;batting_positionval1=batting_position;class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=runs;template=results;type=batting|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111202725/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_positionmin1=1;batting_positionval1=batting_position;class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=runs;template=results;type=batting|archive-date=11 November 2020|access-date=22 August 2016|work=ESPNcricinfo Statsguru|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> and all his Test and T20I centuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/947749.html |title=The forgotten great |date=2 December 2015|access-date= 10 December 2015 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

In August 2016, Dilshan announced that he would retire from both ODI and T20I cricket at the end of [[Australian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2016|the series against Australia]].<ref name="retire">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/1050109.html |title=Dilshan to retire from ODIs and T20Is against Australia |date=25 August 2016 |access-date=25 August 2016 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> He retired from ODI cricket on 28 August 2016 and from T20I cricket on 9 September 2016.

==Early life==
Dilshan was born on 14 October 1976 in [[Kalutara]], to a [[Sri Lankan Malays|Malay]] father and a [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] mother in a family with five siblings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/interviews/2020/09/24/19027/මං-සබීතාව-බඳින්නයි-හිතා-හිටියේ|title=I was thinking of marrying Sabeetha |work=Sarasaviya}}</ref> He was educated at Jaffna Sinhala Madya Maha Vidyalaya in [[Jaffna]] for primary education, and then at the [[Kalutara Vidyalaya]], where he started his cricket career as a teenager. However, his family did not want him to play cricket, so his only goal was to get ahead in sports. Dilshan converted from [[Islam]] to [[Buddhism]]<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/3211416.stm Sri Lanka profiles] BBC News – 9 November 2003</ref> at the age of 16, and was known as ''Tuwan Mohammad Dilshan'' before his conversion. His childhood coach Ranjan Paranavitana stated that even though Dilshan had a Muslim name, he and his siblings followed their mother's religion during their childhood<ref>{{cite news|title=Convert and You Will go to Heaven, Pakistani Cricketer Told Dilshan|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/229281-pakistan-probe-into-ahmed-shehzad-tillakaratne-dilshan-religious-chat|access-date=21 October 2014|agency=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=4 September 2014}}</ref> and officially changed his religion and name after his parents separated.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan investigates Shahzad-Dilshan 'religious spat'|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/cricketnews/pakistan-investigates-shahzad-dilshan-relgious-spat/article1-1259978.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904135553/http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/cricketnews/pakistan-investigates-shahzad-dilshan-relgious-spat/article1-1259978.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 September 2014|access-date=21 October 2014|agency=Agence France-Presse|publisher=HT|date= 4 September 2014}}</ref>

==Early career==
Dilshan first played against [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] on 18 November 1999 at [[Bulawayo]]. He scored 9 runs on his debut and was out LBW to a delivery off [[Henry Olonga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63857.html|title=1st Test: Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Bulawayo, Nov 18–22, 1999 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> However, Dilshan managed to score his maiden test century at the [[Harare Sports Club]] in the second test between Sri Lanka and [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]]. He scored an unbeaten 163 runs in the first innings and was awarded the player of the match award for his role in the Sri Lankan victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63858.html|title=2nd Test: Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Harare, Nov 26–30, 1999 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Dilshan achieved his highest test score in [[England]], where he scored 193 runs in the second test at the [[Lord's]] cricket ground, against [[England national cricket team|England]].<ref name="espncricinfo.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/474464.html|title=2nd Test: England v Sri Lanka at Lord's, Jun 3–7, 2011 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Dilshan's [[One-Day International]] debut also came during Sri Lanka's tour of Zimbabwe in 1999, where he scored 31 runs against [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64635.html|title=1st ODI: Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Bulawayo, Dec 11, 1999 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> His maiden ODI century came against [[Netherlands national cricket team|Netherlands]] on 4 July 2006, where he smashed an unbeaten 117 runs along with [[Sanath Jayasuriya]]'s 157 to help Sri Lanka post then highest ODI score of 443 runs, which stood for 10 years until England scored 444 runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/247827.html|title=1st ODI: Netherlands v Sri Lanka at Amstelveen, Jul 4, 2006 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Dilshan real talent came through in their [[Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 2009–10|match]] against India on 15 December 2009, where Sri Lanka nearly chased a mammoth target of 414 posted by India. The pitch at Rajkot was perfect to bat on, Dilshan started the run chase with Tharanga, instead of Jayasuriya. In a blistering knock he reached fifty off 38 balls and then scored hundred off 73 balls. His 150 runs came off 115 balls with Sri Lanka on the brink of a sensational win. His score of 160 was full of hooks, pulls and many scoops of his variety, leading the way to victory.<ref name="Dilshanunorthodoxy">{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1050737.html | title=The best from Dilshan's school of unorthodoxy | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=27 August 2016 | access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> But after Dilshan fell when bowled by [[Harbhajan Singh]], the match opened for the Indian team. They took all the advantages and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 411 runs, losing by only 3 runs. This was Dilshan's third century in ODIs, the commentators described it as one of the best chases in the World Cricket.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/indvsl2009/engine/match/430886.html | title=Sri Lanka tour of India, 1st ODI: India v Sri Lanka at Rajkot, Dec 15, 2009 | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=15 December 2009 | access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> His knock was later nominated to be one of the Best ODI Batting Performance of the year by [[ESPNcricinfo]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 February 2010|title=A master, a blaster, a limping captain|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2009/content/story/448511.html|access-date=27 November 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' by [[ESPNcricinfo]] for the 2009 T20I World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The top crop|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22789634/the-top-crop|access-date=27 November 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> His knock of 96* against West Indies was later nominated to be one of the Best T20I Batting Performance of the year by [[ESPNcricinfo]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 February 2010|title=A subcontinent special|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2009/content/story/448517.html|access-date=27 November 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

For his performances in 2009, he was named in the World ODI XI by the [[International Cricket Council|ICC]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Johnson and Gambhir scoop top awards|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22765312/johnson-gambhir-scoop-top-awards|access-date=27 November 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

==Later career==
{{See also|List of batsmen who have scored over 10000 One Day International cricket runs}}

Dilshan played almost all his international matches as a middle-order all-round batsman during his early years. However, by 2007, he was selected to open the batting with [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] in [[One Day International cricket|ODI]] game against [[Indian national cricket team|India]], where he started to showcase himself as an attacking and threatening [[Batting order (cricket)|opening batsman]].<ref name="espncricinfo.com1">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/291363.html|title=5th Match: India v Sri Lanka at Canberra, Feb 12, 2008 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Since 2007, his strokeplay has included a host of aggressive strokes which has allowed him to dominate the [[One Day International|ODI]] arena on many occasions. Until retirement, he slotted as the permanent [[Batting order (cricket)|opening batsman]] for Sri Lanka, as well as operating as a handy right-arm off-break bowler in both [[One Day International cricket|ODI]] and T20I matches.

Dilshan is credited for the creation of the [[Dilscoop]], which he stumbled upon and then perfected, during the [[Indian Premier League]] 2009 tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/410387.html|title=Dilshan's ascent|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> His innovative stroke play is acknowledged by many commentators and pundits thereby earning the recognition of being known as one of the most aggressive batsmen of all time. Apart from his [[Dilscoop]], Dilshan is a prolific player of width possessing the ability to hit nearly any delivery pitched outside the off-stump for runs, and has perfected a lethal cover drive against pace bowlers.

[[File:Ian Bell fielding, 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Dilshan playing against England in 2011]]

===2011 Cricket World Cup===
Dilshan was the top run scorer in the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]]. He scored 500 runs from nine One Day international innings with the best score of 144 runs against Zimbabwe. In the quarter-final against England, Dilshan along with [[Upul Tharanga]], stood double hundred partnerships for the first wicket. This stands as the best ever chasing in a quarterfinal in a World Cup game.<ref name="Dilshanunorthodoxy" /> He scored two centuries, two half-centuries, 61 boundaries, and four sixes during the tournament which ended at the [[Wankhede Stadium]] in [[Mumbai]], India, in April 2011.

He was named in the 'Team of the Tournament' for the 2011 World Cup by the ICC and ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sachin, Zaheer, Yuvi in ICC's World Cup XI {{!}} Cricket News|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/world-cup-2011/sachin-zaheer-yuvi-in-iccs-world-cup-xi-1572998|access-date=18 December 2020|website=NDTVSports.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The team of the tournament|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/world-cup-2011-the-team-of-the-tournament-509646|access-date=18 December 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

===Captaincy===
Immediately after the end of the [[ICC Cricket World Cup 2011]], with [[Kumar Sangakkara]] stepping down as captain, Dilshan was appointed the captain of Sri Lanka in all formats of the game. Dilshan said after his retirement in ODIs that, he did not want to take the captaincy, but Sri Lanka Cricket asked him to take the captaincy for six months until they found someone suitable. He accepted the task, but the many troubles in the team such as retirements and injuries led him to reduce performances.

{{quote box
| width = 33%
| align = right
| quote = "I didn't actually plan to take the captaincy, but the SLC president asked me to take over for six months until we find someone else," Dilshan said. "Unfortunately, we had also lost two bowlers. Murali [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] had retired. [[Nuwan Kulasekara]] was injured. [[Ajantha Mendis]] was injured. I didn't have great resources. [[Angelo Mathews]] had a calf injury for a year that stopped him from bowling. That must be because of my misfortune, because after I had stepped down, we went to Australia, and in that series, Mathews started bowling. That must be because of Mahela's good fortune. At the end of the South Africa series, I put everything aside. I went to Australia, scored 500 runs, and became Man of the Series. It didn't matter to me who was captain. I wasn't concerned about who ousted me as captain. I always play for my country. I didn't worry about those personal things, but I was hurt"
| source = —Tillakaratne Dilshan.<ref name="Andrew Fidel Fernando">{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1051459.html | title=Dilshan opens up on lack of support during captaincy tenure | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=28 August 2016 | access-date=29 August 2016 | author=Andrew Fidel Fernando }}</ref>
}}

However, his appointment as captain was questioned by cricket fans and pundits alike. Many wondered if he was the right man to lead [[Sri Lankan national cricket team|Sri Lanka]]. Dilshan scored 193 runs against England at [[Lord's]], breaking the record for the highest individual score made by a Sri Lankan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=1;id=10;team=8;type=ground|title=Cricket Records – Records – Lord's, London – Sri Lanka – Test matches – High scores – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> at the venue, and lead Sri Lanka to their maiden test win in [[South Africa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/sri-lanka-all-out-for-279-lead-sa-by-449/361449-78.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150406131644/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/sri-lanka-all-out-for-279-lead-sa-by-449/361449-78.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 April 2015|title=Sri Lanka earn first Test win in SA|date=29 December 2011|publisher=CNN-IBN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-sri-lanka-2011/engine/match/514033.html|title=2nd Test: South Africa v Sri Lanka at Durban, Dec 26–29, 2011 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Losses to England, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa put strain on his captaincy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/Sri-Lanka/Tillakaratne-Dilshan/810.html|title=Dominic Thornely – Sri-Lanka – Cricket Stats and Records – Wisden India|work=wisdenindia.com}}</ref> however, which he relinquished in January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/550603.html|title=Sri Lanka news: Tillakaratne Dilshan quits as Sri Lanka captain – Cricket – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

He also said that he had a lack of support during captaincy tenure and help from former captains and coaches for the team. During Dilshan's captaincy, four coaches were introduced, but none succeeded.

{{quote box
| width = 33%
| align = right
| quote = "There actually wasn't anyone who was willing to be captain. Everyone resigned after the 2011 World Cup. In England a ball hit my hand and I broke my finger, and the former captains were asked to lead, and they said no."
| source = —Tillakaratne Dilshan.<ref name="Andrew Fidel Fernando"/>
}}

Dilshan became the 5th player in international cricket to score centuries in all forms of the game. During the Australian tour of Sri Lanka in 2011, Dilshan scored an unbeaten century of 104* from just 54 balls in the [[Australian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2011|first Twenty20 match]] of the series,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2011/engine/match/516204.html|title=1st T20I: Sri Lanka v Australia at Pallekele, Aug 6, 2011 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> becoming the 5th player to achieve the milestone after West Indian [[Chris Gayle]], New Zealander [[Brendon McCullum]], Indian [[Suresh Raina]] and fellow Sri Lankan [[Mahela Jayawardena]] and it is also the highest individual twenty20 international score by a Sri Lankan in the history. He scored the century from just 57 balls with 12 fours and 5 sixes. He achieved his century with a dilscoop hitting behind the wicket-keeper.

For his performances in 2011, he was named in the World ODI XI by the ICC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dhoni leads ODI team of the year|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/icc-awards-2011-ms-dhoni-leads-odi-team-of-the-year-532149|access-date=18 December 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> For his performances in 2013, he was named in the World ODI XI by the ICC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Clarke takes top honours at LG ICC Awards 2013|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/179021|access-date=18 December 2020|website=icc-cricket.com|language=en}}</ref>

In December 2011, Sri Lanka registered their first ever Test win in South Africa. This also became their first Test win under Dilshan's captaincy. However, after losing the Test series 2–1 and the subsequent ODI series 3–2, Dilshan resigned and was replaced by [[Mahela Jayawardene]]. In 2012, he was ranked the second-highest ODI run scorer, with 1119 runs, behind his teammate [[Kumar Sangakkara]]. For his performances in 2012, he was named in the ODI XI of the year by ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 January 2013|title=The teams of the year|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/review2012/content/story/599709.html|access-date=18 December 2020|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Tillakaratne Dilshan batting at Lord's 2011 (1).jpg|thumb|left|Tillakaratne Dilshan batting at Lord's 2011]]

===Test retirement===
Dilshan announced his retirement from Test cricket on 9 October 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/678177.html?CMP=chrome|title=Tillakaratne Dilshan to quit Tests|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Dilshan retired from test cricket in 2013 with his last match being played against [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]] at the [[R. Premadasa Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/602473.html|title=2nd Test: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh at Colombo (RPS), Mar 16–19, 2013 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> Dilshan played 87 test matches amassing 5,492 runs, along with 16 centuries and 39 wickets.

===Dilshan-Shehzad incident===
On 4 September 2014, the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] (PCB) issued Pakistani cricketer [[Ahmed Shehzad]] an official reprimand after his frequent quarrels with Dilshan about Dilshan's past and current religions.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Farooq|first1=Umar|title=SL play down Shehzad-Dilshan incident|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/story/778069.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=11 July 2015}}</ref> Shehzad was caught on camera telling Dilshan: {{Blockquote|If you are a non-Muslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in your life, straight to heaven.|source=Ahmed Shehzad's statement on Dilshan.}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Ahmed Shehzad attacks Tillakaratne Dilshan over religion |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ahmed-shehzad-attacks-tillakaratne-dilshan-over-religion-pakistan-odi-207038-2014-09-03 |access-date=19 December 2022 |work=India Today |date=15 September 2014}}</ref>

===Through the ranks===
On 16 December 2014, in his 300th One-Day International, Dilshan scored his 18th ODI century and also passed 9,000 runs in ODIs. He became the fourth Sri Lankan cricketer and 15th overall to achieve this landmark. He also took 3 crucial wickets in the match against [[England cricket team|England]] and aided Sri Lanka's title claim as the winners of the tournament. He won both man of the match award and man of the series award.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.brandonsun.com/sports/other/dilshan-century-pereras-quick-54-steer-sri-lanka-to-302-6-vs-england-in-7th-and-last-odi-285934331.html |title=Dilshan century & 3 wickets lead Sri Lanka to thrashing of England and 5-2 win in ODI series - Brandon Sun |access-date=16 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216192300/http://www.brandonsun.com/sports/other/dilshan-century-pereras-quick-54-steer-sri-lanka-to-302-6-vs-england-in-7th-and-last-odi-285934331.html?thx=y |archive-date=16 December 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>[[File:TM Dilshan batting against England on his way to his 18th ODI century.JPG|thumb|TM Dilshan on his way to his 18th ODI century]]

On 23 January 2015, Dilshan scored his 20th One-Day International century [[Sri Lankan cricket team in New Zealand in 2014–15|against New Zealand]], becoming the 10th batsmen to score 20 ODI centuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282935.html|title=Records – One-Day Internationals – Batting records – Most hundreds in a career – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

===2015 Cricket World Cup===
On 26 February 2015, he scored an unbeaten 161 runs during the group stage match of [[2015 ICC Cricket World Cup]] against [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]]. This was his highest individual score in an ODI and was the highest score by a Sri Lankan in [[ICC Cricket World Cup|Cricket World Cup]] history, a title previously held by [[Aravinda de Silva]], who scored 145 runs against Kenya in 1996. It was also the highest individual score without a six in ODI history and Dilshan's third score greater than 150. During his innings, he shared a 206* run second wicket partnership with [[Kumar Sangakkara]].<ref name="espncricinfo.com2">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/engine/current/match/656433.html|title=18th Match, Pool A: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka at Melbourne, Feb 26, 2015 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> This was the highest second wicket partnership for Sri Lanka in ODIs, but was surpassed in the following match between Sri Lanka and England by a 212* run stand between Sangakkara and [[Lahiru Thirimanne]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportal.com.au/cricket/icc-world-cup/thirimanne-sangakkara-set-records-in-sri-lanka-victory/tetya6afnwka12vqmwxwhqgoz|title=Cricket – Lahiru Thirimanne and Kumar Sangakkara set records in Sri Lanka's nine-wicket victory over England – SPORTAL|author=Sportal|work=sportal.com.au|access-date=6 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330143726/http://www.sportal.com.au/cricket/icc-world-cup/thirimanne-sangakkara-set-records-in-sri-lanka-victory/tetya6afnwka12vqmwxwhqgoz|archive-date=30 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 1 March 2015, during a group match against England, Dilshan took his 100th ODI wicket by dismissing [[Gary Ballance]] off his own bowling, thus becoming the third Sri Lankan to score 3000 runs and take 100 wickets after Jayasuriya and Aravinda.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/656441.html|title=22nd Match, Pool A: England v Sri Lanka at Wellington, Mar 1, 2015 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

During a group match against Australia, Dilshan scored 24 runs off a [[Mitchell Johnson (cricketer)|Mitchell Johnson]] over by hitting six consecutive 4s, a first in World Cup history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/tillakaratne-dilshan-hits-six-fours-off-a-mitchell-johnson-over-in-australia-vs-sri-lanka-icc-cricket-world-cup-2015-pool-a-match-32-261525|title= Tillakaratne Dilshan hits six fours off a Mitchell Johnson over|publisher=CricketCountry Staff|date=8 March 2015| access-date=8 March 2015}}</ref>

Dilshan's teammates, Sangakkara and Mahela, retired from ODI cricket following Sri Lanka's loss to South Africa in the quarterfinals. When asked about retirement, Dilshan stated that until Sri Lanka found a good opening batsman he would continue to feature in the shorter forms of the game for about 2 years or so. Dilshan got out without scoring in the quarterfinals and Sri Lanka exited the World Cup without making the semifinals for the first time since 2003.

===Post-World Cup===
On 26 July 2015, Dilshan passed 10,000 ODI runs during the fifth ODI [[Pakistani cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2015|against Pakistan]] at Hambantota. With this, he became the fourth Sri Lankan and eleventh overall to achieve the milestone.<ref name="Dilshan"/>
[[File:Dilshan in his last ODI at Dambulla.jpg|thumb|right|Dilshan in his last ODI|229x229px]]

Dilshan was the second person after Sanath Jayasuriya to score more than 4000 ODI runs after the age of 35 and surpassed Jayasuriya's record of 4,142 runs in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-pakistan-2015/content/story/903625.html |title=4391 runs after 35, and 2354 outside top five |date=27 July 2015 |access-date=19 February 2016}}</ref> Until retirement, Dilshan has scored 4,674 ODI runs after the age of 35, most by a player.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/17402649/dilshan-age-defying-numbers | title=Dilshan's age-defying numbers | publisher=ESPN | date=27 August 2016 | access-date=9 September 2016 | author=Jayaraman, Shiva}}</ref>

On 9 November 2015, Dilshan became the highest run scorer for Sri Lanka in [[Twenty20 Internationals]] passing 1,493 runs of [[Mahela Jayawardena]]. With this feat, Dilshan also became the first Sri Lankan and third overall to pass 1,500 T20I runs, milestone achieved after [[Brendon McCullum]], and [[JP Duminy]]. Until his retirement, he was only behind McCullum by runs in T20Is.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-west-indies-2015-16/content/story/938975.html|title= Dilshan and Mathews seal thumping win|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=9 November 2015| access-date=10 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://allsports.com.gh/other_sports/dilshan-becomes-sri-lankas-top-t20-scorer-in-win-id4341985.html|title= Dilshan becomes Sri Lanka's top T20 scorer in win|publisher=Allsports|date=9 November 2015| access-date=10 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportal.co.nz/cricket/news/dilshan-becomes-sri-lankas-top-t20-scorer-in-comfortable-win/1mqtz57wm571l1vbcrk3ds0wxf|title= Dilshan becomes Sri Lanka's leading T20 scorer in comfortable win|publisher=Sportal|date=9 November 2015| access-date=10 November 2015}}</ref>

During the third ODI [[Sri Lankan cricket team in New Zealand in 2015-16|against New Zealand]] on 31 December 2015, Dilshan smashed 91 runs to reach another milestone in his career. Dilshan surpassed 1202 runs by Jayasuriya as most runs by an opening batsman for Sri Lanka in a calendar year. Dilshan scored 1207 runs in the year 2015 with 4 hundreds and 6 fifties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?batting_positionmax1=2;batting_positionmin1=1;batting_positionval1=batting_position;class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=runs;team=8;template=results;type=batting;view=year|title= MOST RUNS BY SL OPENERS IN A YEAR – ODIS|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=31 December 2015| access-date=31 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-sri-lanka-2015-16/content/story/956869.html|title= Dilshan's nervous nineties and Sri Lanka's steep chases |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=31 December 2015| access-date=31 December 2015}}</ref>

Dilshan finished 2015 ODI arena as the highest ODI run scorer for Sri Lanka and third highest of all-time list. During 25 ODIs played in 2015, Dilshan scored 1,207 runs with the average of 52.47 and strike rate of 90.75. The veteran of 39 years of age, Dilshan showcased incredible all-around ability and had no mercy for the bowlers for all nations, got 4 hundreds and 6 fifties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=2;id=2015;type=year|title= Records / 2015 / One-Day Internationals / Most runs |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=31 December 2015| access-date=31 December 2015}}</ref> Until retirement in August, Dilshan has surpassed more than 800 runs each in four consecutive years from 2012 to 2015. For his performances in 2015, he was named in the World ODI XI by ICC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ICC Test and ODI Teams of the Year 2015 announced|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/182259|access-date=25 April 2021|website=www.icc-cricket.com|language=en}}</ref>

Dilshan was not totally successful in [[2016 Asia Cup]], where Sri Lanka lost to Bangladesh and India lost the way to the finals. On 4 March 2016, against Pakistan, Dilshan reached another milestone by hitting 200 fours in all twenty20 internationals and the first player to break 200 fours in T20Is.<ref name="mostfours" />

Dilshan's consistency as the leading run scorer for Sri Lanka in Twenty20 cricket proved in the [[2016 ICC World Twenty20]], when he scored unbeaten 83 runs against Afghanistan in a pool match. The innings reached by Afghanistan was 153 and, Dilshan started the innings with showers of four and sixes in a consecutive manner in first six overs. Sri Lanka reached the winning moment in the 19th over with 6 wickets in hand, courtesy of man of the match performance by Dilshan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-2016/content/story/984429.html|title= Dilshan's 83* sees off gutsy Afghanistan |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=17 March 2016| access-date=17 March 2016}}</ref> After that innings, in rest of the pool matches against West Indies and England, Dilshan got out by poor umpire decisions and Sri Lanka eliminated from the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-world-twenty20-2016/content/story/986261.html|title= Badree, Fletcher steamroll Sri Lanka |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=20 March 2016| access-date=17 March 2016}}</ref> Dilshan finished his last international major event as the highest scorer for Sri Lanka with 133 runs at an average of 44.33.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=10291;type=tournament|title= Records / World T20, 2015/16 / Most runs |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=20 December 2016| access-date=17 March 2016}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; width:50%"
|-
!colspan="7"|'''Results in international matches'''<ref name="Cricinfo">{{cite web|title=Statistics / Statsguru / TM Dilshan /Test matches|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/48472.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 April 2015}}</ref>
|-
|&nbsp;||Matches||Won||Lost||Drawn||Tied||No result
|-
|Test<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Test victories|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 April 2012}}</ref> ||87||33||28||26||0||–
|-
|ODI<ref>{{cite web|title=List of ODI victories|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 April 2012}}</ref> ||330||174||139||–||-||17
|-
|T20I<ref>{{cite web|title=List of T20I victories|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;orderby=matches;result=1;template=results;type=batting|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=25 April 2012}}</ref> ||80||43||35||-||1||1
|}

===Limited over retirement===
Dilshan was not included in the England tour in 2016; which was due to his personal reasons.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1055537.html | title=Dilshan, a firestarter to the end | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=8 September 2016 | access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref> But, some local media stated that, the conflict between Dilshan and Sri Lanka Cricket board for his retirement consideration was the actual cause for the refuse for England tour. However, Dilshan denied these rumors.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-sri-lanka-2016/content/story/1022249.html | title=Dilshan to miss England tour due to personal reasons | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> On 25 August 2016, Dilshan announced his retirement from the international arena after the Australian tour. The news stated that, due to immense pressure exerted by the selection committee to reform the limited over squad for upcoming World Cup, the team should have many immediate challenges to do. This forced Dilshan to announce and speed up his intentions to retire from limited overs.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/1050109.html | title=Dilshan to retire from ODIs and T20Is | date=25 August 2016 | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/25/sri-lanka-tillakaratne-dilshan-quit-internationals-australia-series | title=Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan to quit internationals after Australia series | work=The Guardian| date=25 August 2016 | access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/37184334 | title=Tillakaratne Dilshan: Sri Lanka batsman to retire from international cricket | work=BBC Sport | access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/tillakaratne-dilshan-to-retire-after-australia-series-sri-lanka/20160825.htm | title=Tillakaratne Dilshan to retire after Australia series | publisher=rediff | access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/tillakaratne-dilshan-retire-after-australia-series-sri-lanka-odi-t20-2995767/ | title=Goodbye 'Dilscoop', Tillakaratne Dilshan to retire after Australia series | work=The Indian Express| date=25 August 2016 | access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2016/news/95882/tillakaratne-dilshan-to-retire-from-odis-t20is | title=Tillakaratne Dilshan to retire from ODIs T20Is | publisher=icc-cricket | access-date=26 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830235242/http://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2016/news/95882/tillakaratne-dilshan-to-retire-from-odis-t20is | archive-date=30 August 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Many Sri Lankan cricketers wished Dilshan and spoke about him as:

{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="Dilshan is an absolute match-winner and game changer. He deserves the grandest of farewells. The Sri Lanka cricket team will miss him. He enjoyed a champion's career,". "[I hope to see] A full house, a win and all of Sri Lanka applauding Dilshan in his last ODI. He and Sanath Jayasuriya have been our greatest match winners."|source=—[[Kumar Sangakkara]].
}}

{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="Opening the batting is the toughest thing in cricket. There's a lot at stake for an opener and not many players excel in that discipline. Dilshan had an outstanding career as an opener in all three formats. He was also a brilliant fielder and an intelligent bowler. All captains wish they have players like Dilshan in their ranks. Dilshan could change games quickly. The dilscoop that he introduced has been played effectively by cricketers in shorter formats of the game with great success. Like Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath and Romesh Kaluwitharana, he left his mark in cricket."|source=—[[Arjuna Ranatunga]].<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1050933.html | title=Dilshan contributed as much as Sanga and Mahela did – Mathews | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=27 August 2016 | access-date=27 August 2016 | author=Andrew Fidel Fernando }}</ref>
}}

{{quote box|width=33%|align=right|quote="Dilshan has been an absolutely brilliant servant for Sri Lankan cricket over the past 17 years. I think he has equally done the service that Mahela and Sanga did, and we're going to miss him a lot. Unfortunately, he had called it a day. We respect that decision and the whole team wishes him the very best."|source=—[[Angelo Mathews]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
}}

He played his last ODI at [[Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium|Rangiri Dambulla Stadium]] on 28 August 2016. He scored 42 runs in his last ODI innings. As said by skipper [[Angelo Mathews]], the match was dedicated to Dilshan, and a win could give him a good farewell.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1050933.html | title=Dilshan contributed as much as Sanga and Mahela did – Mathews | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=27 August 2016 | access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> The ground was covered by many tributes to Dilshan highlighting that ''"A member of 10,000 run club, A legacy of the Dilscoop"'', ''"What a Run"'', ''"Dilshan You Have Made Us Proud"'', and ''"Thank You Dilshan"''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1051455.html | title=Imperfect, but this was just the pre-farewell | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=28 August 2016 | access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> However, Sri Lanka lost the match by 2 wickets at the end.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1051119.html | title=Australia seal nervy chase after Chandimal ton | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date=28 August 2016 | access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> Until his retirement from ODIs, Dilshan is the 11th highest ODI scorer of all time and 7th highest century maker of all time.

He played his last Twenty20 International at [[R Premadasa Stadium]] on 9 September 2016. He got out for a just single run in the match, but his fielding and bowling came back to the highest level. He took 2 crucial wickets at the end of the Australian innings, by ending 17 years of cricketing career. He ended his international career with a wicket off his last ball. At the time of his retirement, Dilshan was the second highest T20I run scorer of all time. Commentators summarized his career with the quote "Legends Never Retires".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/engine/match/995469.html | title=Australia tour of Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I: Sri Lanka v Australia at Colombo (RPS), Sep 9, 2016 | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref>

==Road Safety World Series==
In 2020, Dilshan was announced as the captain of Sri Lanka Legends for the charity T20 cricket tournament titled 2020–21 Road Safety World Series. In the first match against Australia Legends, Dilshan scored 14 runs took 3 wickets, where Sri Lanka Legends won the match by 6 runs. Dilshan won the man of the match award.<ref>{{Cite web |title= ROAD SAFETY T20 WORLD SERIES, 2020 - MATCH 2: AUSTRALIA LEGENDS VS SRI LANKA LEGENDS |url=https://www.worldseriest20.com/scores-fixtures/scorecard/australia-legends-vs-sri-lanka-legends-live-scores-road-safety-t20-world-series--2020-21-aulsll03082020193708 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404124254/https://www.worldseriest20.com/scores-fixtures/scorecard/australia-legends-vs-sri-lanka-legends-live-scores-road-safety-t20-world-series--2020-21-aulsll03082020193708 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=20 March 2021 |website=worldseriest20.com}}</ref> In the second match, Indian Legends beat Sri Lankan Legends by 5 wickets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SCORECARD ROAD SAFETY T20 WORLD SERIES, 2020 - MATCH 3: INDIA LEGENDS VS SRI LANKA LEGENDS |url=https://www.worldseriest20.com/scores-fixtures/scorecard/india-legends-vs-sri-lanka-legends-live-scores-road-safety-t20-world-series--2020-inlsll03102020193704 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404154316/https://www.worldseriest20.com/scores-fixtures/scorecard/india-legends-vs-sri-lanka-legends-live-scores-road-safety-t20-world-series--2020-inlsll03102020193704 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=20 March 2021 |website=worldseriest20}}</ref> However, Sri Lanka Legends later won all the league matches against West Indies, Bangladesh, England and South Africa and became the first team to reach semi finals. Dilshan became the anchor man in every game, where he scored fifties against South Africa and England Legends. In the semi-final against South African Legends, Sri Lanka won the match comfortably and reached the finals.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} In the final against Indian Legends, Sri Lanka had the momentum to chase the total of 181 posted by Indians, but later fell 14 runs short. However, Dilshan became the Player of the Series due to his allround match winning performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India Legends vs Sri Lanka Legends Highlights: INDL win by 14 runs, lift trophy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/india-legends-vs-sri-lanka-legends-final-live-cricket-score-7238453/ |access-date=20 March 2021 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> Dishan is the highest run scorer of the tournament with 271 runs and highest wicket taker with 12 wickets. He also hit the most boundaries (47) in the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Road Safety World Series final: Tendulkar's India Legends defeat Sri Lanka Legends by 14 runs to lift title |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/road-safety-world-series-final-sachin-tendulkars-india-legends-defeat-sri-lanka-legends-by-14-runs-to-lift-title/735417 |access-date=20 March 2021 |website=timesnownews}}</ref>

==Beyond cricket==
On 1 August 2015, Dilshan and fellow Sri Lankan cricketer [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] were appointed as the brand ambassadors for the Presidential Task Force to combat kidney disease by the President [[Maithripala Sirisena]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/en/tamil-news-update/1408-muttiah-muralitharan-and-t-m-dilshan-named-as-brand-ambassadors-for-the-presidential-task-force-to-combat-kidney-disease.html|title=Muttiah Muralitharan and T.M.Dilshan named as Brand Ambassadors for the Presidential Task Force to combat kidney disease.|author=newsnew|work=slbc.lk|access-date=2 August 2015|archive-date=21 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821005917/http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/en/tamil-news-update/1408-muttiah-muralitharan-and-t-m-dilshan-named-as-brand-ambassadors-for-the-presidential-task-force-to-combat-kidney-disease.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/81821/murali-and-dilshan-appointed-as-brand-ambassadors|title=Murali and Dilshan appointed as Brand Ambassadors|work=dailymirror.lk}}</ref>

===Politics===
Dilshan publicly displayed his support to [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] at the 2015 Presidential Election. He did so by welcoming Mahinda Rajapakse to Maharagama for an election rally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/tillakaratne-dilshan-will-support-mahinda-rajapaksa-in-the-upcoming-sri-lankan-presidential-elections-228437|title=Tillakaratne Dilshan will support Mahinda Rajapaksa in the upcoming Sri Lankan Presidential elections|work=cricketcountry.com|date=24 December 2014}}</ref> In 2018, Dilshan announced that he had joined Mahinda Rajapaksa's [[Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna]] party.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/former-sri-lankan-cricket-captain-backs-mahinda-rajapaksa|title=Former Sri Lankan cricket captain backs Mahinda Rajapaksa|work=tamilguardian}}</ref>

In 2018, Dilshan praised the president, [[Maithripala Sirisena]] for deciding to implement the [[Death penalty]] for drug traffickers.
"Not only for drugs, it should be implemented for child abuse and rape cases", he said, adding that the decision should have been made a long time ago.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/former-sl-cricket-captain-praises-sirisena-over-death-penalty-policy|title=Former Sri Lankan cricket captain praises Sirisena over death penalty policy|work=tamilguardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Drug-traffickers-Dilshan-praises-MS-for-implementing-death-sentence-152687.html|title=Dilshan praises MS for implementing death sentence for drug traffickers|work=Daily Mirror}}</ref>

===Music and acting===
After retiring from international cricket, Dilshan and his wife released a video song titled ''Hema Sansaraye''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2016/09/15/?fn=sa16091525 | title=Duet Song by Dilshan-Manjuala ඩිල්ෂාන් – මංජුලා යුග ගීයක් ගයයි | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=29 September 2016}}</ref> In February 2021, he released the music video ''Hitha Hadana Kena''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A new song from Sri Lankan cricketer Thilakarathne Dilshan |url=https://newsdaily.lk/gossip/a-new-song-from-cricketer-thilakarathne-dilshan/ |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=newsdaily|date=14 February 2021 }}</ref>

Dilshan made his television debut in an episode of [[Kopi Kade]] drama on 5 April 2017.  He also acts alongside his wife in the teleplay ''Mithuu'' which is broadcast by [[ITN channel|Independent Television Network]].<ref name=Mithucast>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2018/05/10/?fn=sa1805109 |title=Dilshan again in Mini Screen |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=10 May 2018}}</ref> and was one of the three judges of [[Sri Lanka's Got Talent]] reality program conducted by [[Sirasa TV]].

==Personal life==
Dilshan was married to Nilanka Vithanage, with whom he has a son called Resadu Tillakaratne. After divorcing Dilshan, Nilanka filed a lawsuit over child alimony. He was issued with a notice to appear in court after the 2011 Cricket World Cup, but he refused some of these notices. The case was later settled with Dilshan to pay about 200,000 LKR each month for his ex-wife and his son.

The court case was opened again in 2017, after Dilshan had failed to pay some of the monthly fees. On 24 April 2017, Colombo Magistrate Courts issued an arrest warrant to Dilshan due to his absence in the Court.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailynews.lk/2017/04/25/law-order/114103/arrest-warrant-issued-ex-cricket-captain-dilshan|title=Arrest warrant issued on ex-cricket captain Dilshan |work=Daily News}}</ref> However, Dilshan finally appeared on court on 25 April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Dilshan-surrenders-to-court-127753.html|title=Dilshan surrenders to court |work=Daily Mirror}}</ref>

Dilshan is now married to Sri Lankan actress Manjula Thilini. Their marriage was celebrated in India during the [[2008 IPL]] series. Dilshan has two daughters and two sons from this marriage. Their eldest daughter is Resandi Linama Tillakaratne, and second is Lasadi Dihasansa Tillakaratne. Their elder son is Dihela Dinhath Tillakaratne, and younger son was born in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english.gossiplankanews.com/2013/10/dilshan-favourite-food-is-mellum-manjula.html|title=Dilshan's favourite food is 'polos mellum' – Manjula – Gossip Lanka News [English]|work=gossiplankanews.com}}</ref>

Dilshan's brother, [[Tillakaratne Sampath]], is a [[first-class cricket]]er in Sri Lanka.<ref>[http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/50737.html ESPNcricinfo Player Profile] Retrieved 11 May 2010</ref>

Dilshan is a popular icon at home, and participated in many local events and television programs. He was also appointed as a special judge in [[Sirasa Superstar]], Generation 4. He also participated in a number of entertainment shows, due to his wife's status as a popular Sri Lankan actress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islandcricket.lk/albums/photos/srilankacricket/38179|title=(Photos) Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sachithra Senanayake at Derana Champion Stars|work=Island Cricket}}</ref>

With the invention of his masterstroke play-Dilscoop, Dilshan models his fashion line with the name 'Dil Scoop'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islandcricket.lk/albums/photos/srilankacricket/37764|title=(Photos) Tillakaratne Dilshan modelling his clothing line Dil Scoop|work=Island Cricket}}</ref>

On 23 October 2014, Dilshan opened a small-scale luxury hotel, named as "Hotel 'D Pavilion Inn'", situated at Stafford Lane in [[Kirulapana]]. The hotel was opened in the presence of the former president of Sri Lanka, [[Mahinda Rajapakse]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adaderana.lk/bizenglish/sri-lankan-cricketer-dilshan-opens-hotel/|title=Sri Lanka News – Sri Lankan Breaking news,Hot News – Adaderana – Truth First|work=adaderana.lk|access-date=30 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207065741/http://www.adaderana.lk/bizenglish/sri-lankan-cricketer-dilshan-opens-hotel/|archive-date=7 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==International records and achievements==

===Test matches===
* He has the highest score scored in [[Lord's Cricket Ground]] by a Sri Lankan, where he scored 193 runs in 2013.<ref name="espncricinfo.com"/>
* Highest partnership for the fifth wicket – 280 by Tillakaratne Dilshan and [[Thilan Samaraweera]] against Bangladesh in 2005.
* Only Sri Lankan to scored centuries in both innings in his 50th Test.

===One-Day Internationals===
* Most runs as an opener for Sri Lanka in a calendar year – 1207 runs in 2015.

===Twenty20 Internationals===
* Highest run scorer for Sri Lanka – 1,889 runs in 80 matches.
* At the time he retired he was the second-leading run scorer in T20I matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283650.html|title=Records – Twenty20 Internationals – Batting records – Most runs in career – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
* Highest individual score in T20I by a Sri Lankan – 104 not out against Australia in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2011/content/story/526139.html|title=Sri Lanka v Australia, 1st Twenty20, Kandy: Tillakaratne Dilshan ton overpowers Australia – Cricket – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
* He has the most catches in T20Is by a Sri Lankan – 31 in 80 matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283650.html|title=Records – Twenty20 Internationals – Fielding records – Most catches in career – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
* Highest partnership for the first wicket – 124 with [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] against West Indies in 2009.<ref name="stats.espncricinfo.com">{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?class=3;id=8;type=team|title=Records – Sri Lanka Twenty20 Internationals – Batting records – Highest partnership by wicket – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
* Highest partnership for the fourth wicket – 104 unbroken with [[Jeevan Mendis]] against Australia in 2011.<ref name="stats.espncricinfo.com"/>

===World Cups===
* Highest individual score by a Sri Lankan – 161 not out against Bangladesh in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-tillakaratne-dilshan-kumar-sangakkaras-brilliance-among-highlights-of-sri-lanka-innings-296982/|title=Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, ICC World Cup, Tillakaratne Dilshan & Kumar Sangakkara's brilliance among highlights of Sri Lanka innings & Gossip on Popular Trends at India.com|author=Aamir Salati|work=India.com}}</ref>
* Highest opening partnership – 282 with [[Upul Tharanga]] against Zimbabwe in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_for_any_wicket.html?id=12;type=trophy|title=Cricket Records – Records – World Cup – Highest partnerships by runs – ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
* Oldest cricketer to score a century –  104 against Scotland in 2015.

===International centuries===
{{anchor|List of international cricket centuries by Tillakaratne Dilshan}}
[[File:Tillakaratne Dilshan batting at Lord's 2011 (1).jpg|right|thumb|Dilshan batting|alt=Tillakaratne Dilshan batting against England at Lord's.]]
Dilshan has 16 Test centuries, 22 One-Day International centuries, and 1 Twenty20 International century. He is the first cricketer in the history to score centuries in all formats as a captain. He is the second Sri Lankan and fifth overall to achieve international centuries in all forms of the game. Dilshan has scored 39 [[Century (cricket)|centuries]] (100 or more [[Run (cricket)|runs]]) in [[Test cricket|Test matches]], [[One Day International]] (ODI) matches and [[Twenty20 International]] (T20I), organized by the [[International Cricket Council]]. Dilshan has scored 16 centuries in Test matches and 22 centuries in ODIs, and one in T20Is.<ref name="Cricinfo2">{{cite web|title=Player Profile:Tillakaratne Dilshan|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/48472.html| publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="cricketarchive">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/7/7392/7392.html|title=TM DILSHAN|publisher=CricketArchive|access-date=11 March 2015}}</ref>

Dilshan scored his 16th and last Test century on 18 March 2013 at the [[Galle International Stadium]] in [[Galle]] against [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]]. His 17th ODI century comes in his favorite ground [[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium]] on 28 July 2013 against [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]], where at this ground he scored 5 ODI centuries and also his only Twenty20 International century against [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] on 6 August 2011.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924031456/http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerNotables_T20.asp?PlayerID=2197&s=2 How Stat. Players] </ref>

In Test matches, Dilshan has scored centuries against all the [[Test cricket#Test cricket playing nations|Test cricket playing nations]] except [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] and [[West Indies national cricket team|West Indies]], and has scored 150 against four of them. He is seventh on the list of leading Test century makers for [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Records – Test matches – Most hundreds in a career for Sri Lanka|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_hundreds_career.html?class=1;id=8;type=team| publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref> His centuries have been scored at ten cricket grounds, six of which were outside Sri Lanka. He has been [[List of cricket terms#dismissal|dismissed]] two times in the nineties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/48472.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=start;runsmax1=99;runsmin1=90;runsval1=runs;template=results;type=batting;view=innings|title= Statsguru – TM Dilshan 90s|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref>

In ODIs, Dilshan has scored centuries against all test playing opponents except [[West Indies national cricket team|West Indies]]. His maiden century was made against [[Netherlands national cricket team|Netherlands]] at the [[VRA Cricket Ground]], [[Amstelveen]] in 2006. He is third in the list of leading century-makers in ODIs for Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/india/engine/records/batting/most_hundreds_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team|title=Cricket Records – Sri Lanka – One-Day Internationals – Most hundreds|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 December 2014}}</ref> Of these 22 ODI centuries, nine were scored at home grounds and thirteen were at away (opposition's home) or neutral venues. He has been dismissed one time in the ninetynine.

Dilshan scored his only T20I century against [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] in 2011, and became the fifth batsmen to score hundreds in all forms of the game.<ref name="Cricinfo2"/> He scored 104 runs from 57 balls.<ref name=onlyt20i>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/516204.html |title=1st T20I (N), Australia tour of Sri Lanka at Pallekele, Aug 6 2011 | publisher=ESPNcricinfo | access-date=28 August 2019}}</ref> This is the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan in Twenty20 Internationals.

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+Test match centuries
|-
!No.
!Score
!Opponent
!Venue
!Date
!Result
!Ref
|-
| 1 || 163 || {{cr|Zimbabwe}} || [[Harare Sports Club]] || 26 November 1999 || Sri Lanka won ||<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130613190849/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/keyword/tillakaratne-dilshan Articles about Tillakaratne Dilshan – Times Of India<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
| 2 || 100 || {{cr|England}} || [[Asgiriya Stadium]] || 10 December 2003 || Draw ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-2-against-england-in-2003100-at-kandy Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 2: Against England in 2003:100 at Kandy | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130121045951/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-2-against-england-in-2003100-at-kandy |date=21 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 3 || 104 || {{cr|Australia}} || [[Galle International Stadium]] || 8 March 2004 || Sri Lanka lost ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-3-against-australia-in-2004104-at-galle Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 3: Against Australia in 2004:104 at Galle | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130120001043/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-3-against-australia-in-2004104-at-galle |date=20 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 4 || 168 || {{cr|Bangladesh}} || [[P. Saravanamuttu Stadium]] || 20 September 2005 || Sri Lanka won ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-4-against-bangladesh-in-2005168-at-colombo-pss Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 4: Against Bangladesh in 2005:168 at Colombo (PSS) | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130120025325/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-4-against-bangladesh-in-2005168-at-colombo-pss |date=20 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 5 || 125 || {{cr|IND}} || [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground]] || 23 July 2008 || Sri Lanka won ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-5-against-india-in-2008125-at-colombo-ssc Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 5: Against India in 2008:125 not out at Colombo (SSC) | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130121054759/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-5-against-india-in-2008125-at-colombo-ssc |date=21 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 6 || 162 || {{cr|Bangladesh}} || [[Chittagong Divisional Stadium]] || 3 January 2009 || Sri Lanka won ||
|-
| 7 || 143 || {{cr|Bangladesh}} || [[Chittagong Divisional Stadium]] || 3 January 2009 || Sri Lanka won ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-7-against-bangladesh-in-2009143-at-chittagong Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 7: Against Bangladesh in 2009:143 at Chittagong | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130120030345/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-7-against-bangladesh-in-2009143-at-chittagong |date=20 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 8 || 145 || {{cr|Pakistan}} || [[Gaddafi Stadium]]  || 1 March 2009 || Draw ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-8-against-pakistan-in-2009145-at-lahore Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 8: Against Pakistan in 2009:145 at Lahore | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130120034240/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-8-against-pakistan-in-2009145-at-lahore |date=20 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 9 || 123 not out || {{cr|New Zealand}} || [[Galle International Stadium]]  || 18 August 2009 || Sri Lanka won ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-9-against-new-zealand-in-2009123-at-galle Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 9: Against New Zealand in 2009:123 not out at Galle | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130121045224/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-9-against-new-zealand-in-2009123-at-galle |date=21 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 10 || 112 || {{cr|IND}} || [[Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera|Sardar Patel Stadium]] || 16 November 2009 || Draw ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-10-against-india-in-2009112-at-ahmedabad Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 10: Against India in 2009:112 at Ahmedabad | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130121053943/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-10-against-india-in-2009112-at-ahmedabad |date=21 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 11 || 109 || {{cr|IND}} || [[Brabourne Stadium]] || 2 December 2009 || Sri Lanka lost ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-11-against-india-in-2009109-at-mumbai-bs Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 11: Against India in 2009:109 at Mumbai (BS) | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130120054709/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-11-against-india-in-2009109-at-mumbai-bs |date=20 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 12 || 193 || {{cr|ENG}} || [[Lord's]] || 3 June 2011 || Draw ||<ref>[http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-12-against-england-in-2011193-at-lords Tillakaratne Dilshan Test Century 12: Against England in 2011:193 at Lord’s | Cricket Centuries] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130120004432/http://crictons.com/tillakaratne-dilshan-test-century-12-against-england-in-2011193-at-lords |date=20 January 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| 13 || 101 || {{cr|PAK}} || [[Galle International Stadium]] || 22 June 2012 || Sri Lanka won ||
|-
| 14 || 121 || {{cr|PAK}} || [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground]] || 30 June 2012 || Draw ||
|-
| 15 || 147 || {{cr|AUS}} || [[Bellerive Oval]] || 14 December 2012 || Sri Lanka lost ||
|-
| 16 || 126 || {{cr|BAN}} || [[Galle International Stadium]] || 8 March 2013 || Draw ||
|}

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+One Day International centuries
|-
!No.
!Score
!Opponent
!Venue
!Date
!Result
|-
| 1 || 117 || {{cr|NED}} || [[VRA Ground]]|| 4 July 2006|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 2 || 137 not out || {{cr|PAK}} || [[Gaddafi Stadium]] || 24 January 2009|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 3 || 106 || {{cr|RSA}} || [[SuperSport Park]]|| 22 September 2009|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 4 || 160 || {{cr|IND}} || [[Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground]]|| 15 December 2009|| Sri Lanka lost
|-
| 5 || 123 || {{cr|IND}} || [[Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground]]|| 18 December 2009|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 6 || 104 || {{cr|BAN}} || [[Shere Bangla National Stadium]]|| 4 January 2010|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 7 || 108 not out || {{cr|ZIM}} || [[Harare Sports Club]]|| 9 June 2010|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 8 || 110 || {{cr|IND}} || [[Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium]]|| 28 August 2010|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 9 || 144 || {{cr|ZIM}} || [[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium]]|| 10 March 2011|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 10 || 108 not out || {{cr|ENG}} || [[R. Premadasa Stadium]]|| 26 March 2011|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 11 || 160 not out || {{cr|IND}} || [[Bellerive Oval]]|| 28 February 2012|| Sri Lanka lost
|-
| 12 || 106 || {{cr|AUS}} || [[Adelaide Oval]]|| 6 March 2012|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 13 || 119 not out || {{cr|PAK}} || [[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium]]|| 9 June 2012|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 14 || 102 not out || {{cr|NZ}} || [[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium]]|| 6 November 2012|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 15 || 113 not out || {{cr|BAN}} || [[Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium]]|| 23 March 2013|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 16 || 125 || {{cr|BAN}} || [[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium]]|| 28 March 2013|| Sri Lanka lost
|-
| 17 || 115 not out || {{cr|RSA}} || [[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium]]|| 28 July 2013|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 18 || 101 || {{cr|ENG}} || [[R. Premadasa Stadium]]|| 16 December 2014|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 19 || 116 || {{cr|NZ}} || [[Seddon Park]]|| 15 January 2015|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 20 || 116 || {{cr|NZ}} || [[University Oval, Dunedin|University Oval]]|| 23 January 2015|| Sri Lanka lost
|-
| 21 || 161 not out || {{cr|BAN}} || [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]|| 26 February 2015|| Sri Lanka won
|-
| 22 || 104 || {{cr|SCO}} || [[Bellerive Oval]]|| 11 March 2015|| Sri Lanka won
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Twenty20 International centuries
|-
!No.
!Score
!Opponent
!Venue
!Date
!Result
|-
| 1 || 104 not out || {{cr|AUS}} || [[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium]] || 6 August 2011|| Sri Lanka won
|}

==Acting career==
===Filmography===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Role
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Sinhawalokanaya]]'' – සිංහාවලෝකනය || Himself
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Teledrama !! Role
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Kopi Kade]]'' || Himself
|-
| 2018 || ''Mithuu''<ref name=Mithucast /> ||
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Emy Teledrama|Emy]]''|| Himself
|}

==Awards and honours==
* ICC Twenty20 International Performance of the Year 2009
* [[ICC ODI Team of the Year]] – included in four years (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015)
* Dialog SLC People's Player of the Year 2015 (with 493,196 votes)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailynews.lk/2016/12/01/sports/100778|title=Chief guest Wasim Akram heaps praise on Sri Lanka: Mathews is Dialog Cricketer of the Year|work=Daily News|date=1 December 2016}}</ref>
* Dialog SLC T20 Batsman of the Year 2015

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.nation.lk/2011/05/08/sports4.htm The decision that changed my career – Dilshan]
* [http://wibblepublishing.com/dilshan.html Dilshan: The Man Behind The Scoop]

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=48472}}
* [http://www.royalchallengers.com/t-m-dilshan Dilshan IPL Profile] from [[Royal Challengers Bangalore|RoyalChallengers]]

{{Sri Lanka Test Cricket Captains}}
{{Sri Lanka ODI Cricket Captains}}
{{Sri Lanka T20I Cricket Captains}}
{{Batsmen who have scored 10000 Runs in ODI Cricket}}
{{Player of the Series in ICC World Twenty20}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Sri Lanka squads
|bg= blue
|fg= #FFCC00
|bordercolor=#FFCC00
|list1=
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2002 ICC Champions Trophy}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2004 Asia Cup}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2007 Cricket World Cup}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2008 Asia Cup}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2011 ICC World Cup}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2014 ICC World Twenty20}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2015 Cricket World Cup}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dilshan, Tillakaratne}}
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