Birthday special: Dinesh Chandimal – Top 3 performances in international cricket
Former Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal was billed to do great things for the national team when he made his international debut in 2010. However, the prodigious batter faded from the national team after his early promise. But the stylish batter has found a new lease of life in the longer format of the game in the last 18 months, scripting memorable victories for the islanders with the bat in hand. On his 33rd birthday, we list some of his most memorable knocks for the Sri Lankan team.
105* against England, 2011
Sri Lanka took on England in the third match of the ODI series at the home of cricket, with the series level at 1-1. The hosts, led by Alastair Cook, won the toss and batted first in the match. The English skipper compiled a combative ton to guide the home side to a competitive total of 246 runs in their 50 overs. Sri Lanka was rocked early during their chase after losing Tillakaratne Dilshan cheaply. But the veteran Mahela Jayawardene steadied the ship for the islanders along with a young Dinesh Chandimal. The latter went on to compile a memorable century at the iconic venue to guide his side home with six wickets to spare.
162* against India, 2015
Sri Lanka hosted neighbours India in the first Test of the series in Galle in 2015. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first in the series opener. But a meek performance by their batters saw them restricted to a lowly 183 runs on a rank turner. India compiled a handsome total of 375 runs in reply. However, the islanders hit back in the third innings, registering 367 runs on the back of a sensational inning of 162 runs off just 169 deliveries from Dinesh Chandimal. Sri Lanka completed a sensational victory in the fourth innings on the back of Chandimal’s innings.
206* against Australia, 2022
Australia travelled to Galle for the second Test against Sri Lanka with a series victory on their minds. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first in the series decider, compiling a competitive score of 364 runs on the back of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne’s combative centuries. Sri Lanka roared back in the series, putting a massive total of 554 runs on the board on the back of Dinesh Chandima’s rip-roaring double century. Sri Lanka won the match by an innings and 39 runs, thanks to Chandimal’s sensational innings.
