Former cricketer, Tillakaratne Dilshan served as captain of the Sri Lankan cricket team. The finest Sri Lankan player to chase down runs in ODIs is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.
His total wealth is $10 million. In this article, we are going to learn about Tillakaratne Dilshan’s net worth, salary, earnings, biography, wife, and many more.
About Tillakaratne Dilshan
Mudiyanselage Tillakaratne Dilshan, also known as Dilshan, was a former cricketer for Sri Lanka and its national squad. He was born on October 14, 1976. He is frequently recognized as one of the greatest players of all time and the best-rated Sri Lankan player in run-chases in ODI history.
Dilshan is regarded as an exceptional case of a cricket player who excels in all facets of the game and can bat, bowl, field, and maintain wicket. He invented the scoop, also known as the Dilscoop, a shot that smashes the ball over the keeper. He is an aggressive right-hand batsman. He can bowl off-breaks well and is a competent opening batsman as well.
Early Life
Dilshan was the youngest of five children born to a Malay father and a Sinhalese mother. He received his primary education at the Jaffna Sinhala Madya Maha Vidyalaya in Jaffna before continuing his schooling at the Kalutara Vidyalaya, where he began playing cricket as a youngster.
His family did not want him to play cricket, thus his only concern was to achieve in sports. Dilshan, formerly known as Tuwan Mohammad Dilshan, converted to Buddhism at the age of 16 from Islam.
Even though Dilshan had a Muslim name, according to his former coach Ranjan Paranavitana, he and his siblings practiced their mother’s faith as children. After his parents’ divorce, Dilshan formally changed his religion and name.
Career
Dilshan made his debut on November 18, 1999, in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe. He made his debut and scored nine runs before being caught LBW by Henry Olonga’s pitch. But in the second test between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka at the Harare Sports Club, Dilshan was able to record his first test century.
He contributed to Sri Lanka’s triumph by scoring an undefeated 163 runs in the first innings, earning him the contest’s Player of the Match title. Dilshan’s greatest test score came in England, where he struck 193 runs against England in the second test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Tillakaratne Dilshan’s Net Worth and Earnings
As of 2023, the Sri Lankan former cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan has a net worth of $10 million dollars. He made the most of this by acting in cricket and winning major tournaments like T20 and One Day.
Salary
He is one of the highest-paid cricketers in terms of salary. He receives a huge chunk of money by playing in top national and international teams.
| Year | Team | Salary |
| 2013 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹ 34,625,500 |
| 2012 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹ 32,675,500 |
| 2011 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹ 29,900,000 |
| 2010 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹ 11,572,500 |
| 2009 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹ 12,280,000 |
| 2008 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹ 10,040,000 |
| Total | ₹ 131,093,500 | |
Endorsement
Tillakaratne Dilshan is a retired cricket player and as of 2023, he possesses no endorsement deal. During his active career, he had some minor endorsement deals with a few sports brands and companies.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan |
| Nickname | Dilshan |
| Born | born 14 October 1976 |
| Debut | 1996 |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | 61 kg |
| Age | 46 years |
| Birthplace | Kalutara, Sri Lanka |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Father name | N/A |
| Mother name | N/A |
| Instagram Handle | tmdilshan_23 |
Wife
Resadu Tillakaratne is the name of Dilshan’s son from his marriage to Nilanka Vithanage. Nilanka filed a claim for child support after divorcing Dilshan.
He was given a summons to court following the 2011 Cricket World Cup. However, he disregarded several of these notices. Later, the dispute was resolved, with Dilshan agreeing to pay his ex-wife and kid roughly 200,000 LKR monthly.
Career Stats
| No. | Score | Opponent | Date | Result |
| 1 | 163 | Zimbabwe | 26 November 1999 | Sri Lanka won |
| 2 | 100 | England | 10 December 2003 | Draw |
| 3 | 104 | Australia | 8 March 2004 | Sri Lanka lost |
| 4 | 168 | Bangladesh | 20 September 2005 | Sri Lanka won |
| 5 | 125 | India | 23 July 2008 | Sri Lanka won |
| 6 | 162 | Bangladesh | 3 January 2009 | Sri Lanka won |
| 7 | 143 | Bangladesh | 3 January 2009 | Sri Lanka won |
| 8 | 145 | Pakistan | 1 March 2009 | Draw |
| 9 | 123 not out | New Zealand | 18 August 2009 | Sri Lanka won |
| 10 | 112 | India | 16 November 2009 | Draw |
| 11 | 109 | India | 2 December 2009 | Sri Lanka lost |
| 12 | 193 | England | 3 June 2011 | Draw |
| 13 | 101 | Pakistan | 22 June 2012 | Sri Lanka won |
| 14 | 121 | Pakistan | 30 June 2012 | Draw |
| 15 | 147 | Australia | 14 December 2012 | Sri Lanka lost |
| 16 | 126 | Bangladesh | 8 March 2013 | Draw |
FAQs
1. What is the “Dilscoop” and how did Tillakaratne Dilshan develop it?
The Dilscoop is an innovative batting shot where the batsman paddles the ball over his own head and the wicketkeeper. Dilshan pioneered this unique stroke that became his signature move. He stated the shot gave him confidence under pressure, saying “If I am under pressure I can play that shot and put the pressure back on the bowlers.”
2. How did Tillakaratne Dilshan’s career transform when he became an opener?
Dilshan struggled as a middle-order batsman between 2001-2003, facing multiple drops from the team. After being demoted to captain Sri Lanka ‘A’ side, he was given a chance to open against Pakistan. This opportunity transformed him from an underperforming talent to one of cricket’s most destructive opening batsmen with newfound self-belief and consistency.
3. What makes Tillakaratne Dilshan considered one of cricket’s most versatile players?
Dilshan was a rare complete cricketer who excelled in multiple roles. He could bat aggressively as an opener, bowl effective off-spin (taking 106 ODI wickets), keep wicket when needed, and was an excellent fielder. He started his career as a wicketkeeper in 1999 and later stated, “I am ready to do anything in international cricket, be it keeping, batting, fielding, bowling.”
4. What were Tillakaratne Dilshan’s career statistics across formats?
Dilshan played 87 matches scoring 5,492 runs at an average of 40.99 with 16 centuries. His ODI career included 330 matches with 10,290 runs at 39.27, including 22 centuries. In T20Is, he scored 1,889 runs across 80 matches with one century. He also took 39 Test wickets and 106 ODI wickets as a part-time bowler.
5. When and why did Tillakaratne Dilshan retire from international cricket?
Dilshan retired from Tests in October 2013 and from limited-overs formats in August 2016. Despite impressive performances (averaging 49.18 in ODIs since 2013), he stepped down at age 39 when selectors focused on building a team for the 2019 World Cup. His final ODI was against Australia in Dambulla, with his last T20I in Colombo on September 9, 2016.
