February 26, Colombo (LNW): Former Sri Lankan cricket star Tillakaratne Dilshan has been awarded Australian citizenship, a development confirmed by Australian MP Jason Wood in a recent social media update.
Dilshan, known for his dynamic batting prowess, notably contributed to numerous victories for the Sri Lankan cricket team during his illustrious career.
With his retirement from professional cricket, the 47-year-old’s acquisition of Australian citizenship signifies a significant milestone in his post-playing days.
“Today’s citizenship ceremony was graced by the presence of Tillakaratne Dilshan, the former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team,” remarked MP Jason Wood in his social media post.
Wood highlighted Dilshan’s remarkable cricketing achievements, emphasising his reputation as Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in ODI run-chases and his pivotal role in the team’s triumphs, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.
Welcoming Dilshan as a new Australian citizen and local resident, Wood expressed optimism about the veteran cricketer potentially joining a local cricket team.
He also mentioned Dilshan’s daughter Resandi, who appears to be following in her father’s footsteps.
Dilshan’s cricketing legacy includes over 10,000 runs from 330 ODIs, 5492 runs from 87 Test matches, and 1889 runs from 80 T20I matches. Known for his innovative batting techniques, such as the famous scoop shot, Dilshan’s versatile and effective style left an indelible mark on the cricketing world across formats.
