Sri Lankan legends laud Tillakaratne Dilshan on retirement announcement

Many Sri Lankan cricketing legends did take to Twitter to pay homage to Tillakaratne Dilshan who will be announcing his retirement shortly at the end of this week. In spite of the fact that Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene retired at 37 and 38 respectively, Dilshan has waited until he was 39 to call time on his career.

Speaking to Cricinfo earlier today, Dilshan stated that the third One-Day International against Australia would indeed be his last one while he would also feature in the subsequent Twenty20 internationals against Australia as well, thus bringing an end to what has been a supremely illustrious and long career for Sri Lanka.

Having made his debut in 1999, Dilshan has played in 4 World Cups and the same number of World T20s. He was also a part of the side that clinched the World T20 in 2014, Sri Lanka’s first one since the format’s inception in 2007.

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One of Dilshan’s better shots includes the cover drive, something he plays with supreme perfection as well as precision and accuracy. However, the fact of the matter remains that his final few years with Sri Lankan cricket proved to be highly successful as ageing proved to be the major culprit as has been the case for many a cricketer over the years.

Former Sri Lankan skippers of the Sri Lankan cricket team took to Twitter to wish their former teammate. Kumar Sangakkara’s tweet read: “A full house, a win and all of Sri Lanka applauding @TmDilshan_23 in his last ODI. He and @sanath07 have been our greatest match winners.”

Mahela Jayawardene and Roshan Abeysinghe also tweeted similar applause.

A full house, a win and all of Sri Lanka applauding @TmDilshan_23 in his last ODI. He and @sanath07 have been our greatest match winners

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) August 25, 2016

SLC dedicates the 3rd ODI vs Aus to the retiring master batsman T.M. Dilshan for the services rendered to the motherland through cricket.

— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) August 25, 2016

President of SLC Hon. Thilanga Sumathipala extends appreciation of himself & the committee to Dilshan for his service to cricket in SL.

— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) August 25, 2016

Wonderful servant for SL cricket. Naturally gifted player. Was absolute pleasure playing with him. Wish @TmDilshan_23 all the best. ? enjoy!

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) August 25, 2016