Full Name: Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan

Born: 14th Oct 1976, Kalutara
Age: 29
Role: Right Hand Batsman / Right Arm Offbreak
Major Teams: Sri Lanka, Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club, Kalutara Town, Sebastianites Cricket and Athletic Club, Singha Sports Club
Test Debut : Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Bulawayo - Nov 18-22, 1999
ODI Debut : Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Bulawayo - Dec 11, 1999

Tillakaratne Dilshan is a very handy cricketer, and moulds well into the Sri Lankan team.

Dilshan can be very useful with the bat, evident through his ODI average of 26.52 (as of 18 March 2006) and test average of 38.27 including four 100s and six 50s. In his debut match in 1999, he scored an unbeaten 163 against what was then a formidable Zimbabwe team. He also has ability with the wicket-keeping gloves, and is a handy backup in case of an injury.

Dilshan's spin bowling is also an asset for Sri Lanka, and has resulted in some match-winning performances, particularly against South Africa. He has taken 31 ODI wickets at 39.87 apiece. His brief omission from both the test and ODI teams from 2001 to 2003 has resulted in Dilshan coming back better than ever, and Sri Lanka will hope that he continues to improve and contribute to further success.