Tillakaratne Dilshan is a famous cricket player from Sri Lanka. He played many matches for his country. Known for his skill with the bat and good fielding. A strong team player. Loved by fans all over the world. What a career!
Biography
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan |
| Common Name | TM Dilshan |
| Date of Birth | 14 October 1976 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Role | All-rounder (Batsman, Bowler, Fielder, Wicket-keeper) |
| Batting Style | Aggressive Right-hand batsman |
| Bowling Style | Off-break bowler |
| Fielding Position | Usually at point region |
| International Debut | Test & ODI debut in 1999 (Tour to Zimbabwe), T20I second cap for Sri Lanka |
| Captaincy | Former captain of Sri Lanka national cricket team |
| Innovations | Invented the “Dilscoop” shot (scoop over the wicketkeeper) |
| Notable Achievements |
|
| Career Highlights |
|
| Retirement | Announced retirement from ODI and T20I cricket in August 2016 Retired from ODI: 28 August 2016 Retired from T20I: 9 September 2016 |
Early Life
Tillakaratne Dilshan was born in Kalutara, a small town by the sea in Sri Lanka. He grew up there with his family. When he was young, he changed his name from Tuwan Mohammed Dilshan after he became a Buddhist. Dilshan started playing cricket early in his life. Later, he moved to Colombo to play cricket at a higher level. His early years shaped him into the player he became.
Family
| Relation | Name | About |
|---|---|---|
| Father | Not widely publicized | Tillakaratne Dilshan often spoke with respect about his father. Sadly, his father passed away some years ago. Dilshan remembers him with love and pride. |
| Mother | Not widely publicized | Very little public information is available about his mother. She supported him during his early cricket days. |
| Brother | Tillakaratne Sampath | Sampath is Dilshan’s brother. He also played cricket in Sri Lanka. The two share a close bond and love for the sport. |
| Sons | Resadu Tillakaratne, Ravindu Tillakaratne, Duvindu Tillakaratne | Resadu is his son from his first marriage. Ravindu and Duvindu are twin sons who play cricket in Sri Lanka at the domestic level. |
| Daughter | Limansa Thilakarathna | Limansa is his daughter from his second marriage. She is also interested in cricket and often seen supporting her father. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Batting Style | Right-hand bat |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm offbreak |
| Role | Batsman, occasional wicket-keeper |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Tillakaratne Dilshan is currently married to Manjula Thilini. She is a Sri Lankan actress. They live together with their children. They have two daughters and one son. The exact date of their marriage is not widely known, but they are happily married now.
Before marrying Manjula Thilini, Dilshan was married to another woman named Nilanka. Their marriage ended in divorce. Nilanka later married Sri Lankan cricketer Upul Tharanga.
| Partner Name | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nilanka | Ex-Wife | Divorced; later married Upul Tharanga |
| Manjula Thilini | Wife | Sri Lankan actress; married currently; 3 children |
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Tillakaratne Dilshan is a well-known former cricket player from Sri Lanka. He became famous because of his special way of batting. He was one of the first players to play very fast and take risks at the start of the game. People remember him for creating a new cricket shot called the “Dilscoop.” This shot is played by hitting the ball over the wicketkeeper’s head, which was not common before. His style helped Sri Lanka win many matches.
Dilshan started his career as a player who could do many things well. He could bat, bowl, field, and even keep wicket. Over time, he became an important player for the Sri Lankan team. He often opened the batting, meaning he was one of the first players to bat in one-day and Twenty20 games. His aggressive batting style made him popular among fans. He also played many important matches as a captain, leading the team in all forms of cricket.
- First cricketer to score hundreds as captain in all formats of the game (Test, One Day, and Twenty20).
- Created the famous “Dilscoop” cricket shot, which many players now use.
- Known for keeping a high batting strike rate, helping Sri Lanka win important games.
- Played over 200 international matches for Sri Lanka.
While Dilshan had a great career, there were some controversies too. At times, there were questions about his leadership style. Some critics felt his team had discipline problems under his captaincy. However, none of these controversies were very serious or long-lasting. He remained respected for his skills and contributions to cricket.
Tillakaratne Dilshan is remembered as a talented and brave cricket player. He changed how opening batsmen play in limited-overs cricket. Even though there were small controversies, his achievements and unique style made him one of Sri Lanka’s cricket stars.
Faq
Tillakaratne Dilshan is a former Sri Lankan cricketer. He played for Sri Lanka’s national cricket team. He was known for his batting and also for bowling some spin balls.
He is famous for his aggressive batting style. He scored many runs and helped his team win many matches. He also created a special type of shot called the “Dilscoop.”
Dilshan started playing international cricket in 1999. He played until 2016 in many formats like Test, One Day, and Twenty20 games.
He played for Sri Lanka’s national team. He also played for many clubs in Sri Lanka and other countries during his career.
The “Dilscoop” is a special cricket shot. Dilshan hit the ball over the wicketkeeper’s head to score runs. It is now used by many players around the world.
Yes, he also bowled off-spin. Sometimes he helped his team by taking wickets. He was a good fielder too.
After retiring, Dilshan worked as a cricket coach and commentator. He shared his knowledge with new players and fans.

Mayank Chaudhary is a former Indian domestic cricketer, now working as a cricket analyst. With years of on-field experience and deep insight into the dynamics of the game and the world of cricket betting, he now shares his expertise to help fellow cricket enthusiasts make smarter, more informed bets. Learn more on the About Me page.