Dilshan is serving as mentor of TG20 franchise Khammam Aces.
| Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal
Only a few have left a mark on cricket quite like Tillakaratne Dilshan.
A decade on from his international retirement, the former Sri Lanka all-rounder is donning a different hat.
The 49-year-old is in Hyderabad as mentor of TG20 franchise Khammam Aces in the inaugural edition, guiding a new generation through the lessons of a 17-year international career.
“I got a call from the ownership group asking me to help the youngsters, and I took it up immediately,” Dilshan told The Hindu.
“I tell the players to use me to the maximum. ‘Take my experience, take what I can teach you, that’s why I’m in this role’.”
He has spent about 10 days with the Aces squad, and unsurprisingly, the famous ‘Dilscoop’ — the audacious stroke that became synonymous with his name — was the icebreaker.
“It came up in the first meeting! The entire team wanted to learn how to play [that shot]. I spoke to them about how to pull it off, when I used it, and how I employed it in situations to put the pressure back on the bowlers,” he added.
Dilshan lauded the growing ambition of local leagues in India, which bring national players, experienced domestic regulars, and aspiring district talent under one roof.
“There is talent that is at the level of the IPL in these types of tournaments. Hopefully, five or six players get selected from here, too. So many budding players don’t get to play in big leagues.
“We had a few dropped catches in the first game because the boys are not used to playing under lights. We’ve worked on that.
“The young opener in our team (Wafi Kachchhi) batted well in the first game, scored 60-odd but threw his wicket away. We spoke about what he could have done in that situation and how he could have converted it into a bigger score. He might get us a few centuries before the end of the tournament.”
Dilshan’s coaching journey began much closer to home — with his daughter, Limansa Thilakarathne, who plays for Sri Lanka’s u-19 side, and son Dihela Dinhath Tillakaratne, who competes at the age-group level in Melbourne.
“I’m really happy with Limmy. Even if she doesn’t perform well, she will come back and say, ‘Taati (short for Thaaththaa, colloquial Sinhala word for father), we’ll go to the nets at night’.” The 18-year-old is currently with the SL u-19 side playing a white-ball series against India in Chennai. Dilshan hopes to be in the stands soon, cheering rather than being cheered.
For a man who spent a lifetime creating memories on the field, there may be no greater satisfaction than watching his daughter create her own.
Published – June 25, 2026 11:12 pm IST
