Few cricketers have left a mark on the game quite like Tillakaratne Dilshan. A decade after retiring from international cricket, the flamboyant all-rounder is focused on passing that legacy on. The former Sri Lanka opener is in Hyderabad as mentor of Khammam Aces in the inaugural TG20, guiding a new generation of cricketers through the lessons of a 17-year international career.

“I got a call from the ownership asking to come and help out the youngsters, and took it up immediately,” Dilshan told Sportstar.

“I tell the young players to use me to the maximum. Take my experience, take what I can teach you from a two-decade-long international career. That’s why I’m in this role.”

The 49-year-old has spent around 10 days with the Aces squad, and unsurprisingly, the famous ‘Dilscoop’ – the audacious stroke that became synonymous with his name – was the ice breaker.

“It came up in the first meeting! The entire team wanted to learn how to play. I spoke to them about how to pull it off, when I used it, and how I employed it in pressure situations to put the pressure back on the bowlers.”

Dilshan lauded the bridging ambitions of local leagues, 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. We spoke about what he could do in that situation and convert that to a bigger score of maybe 100 or more. He might get us a few hundreds before the end of the tournament,” he added.

“Identifying pathways for players early on is so important. Back in Australia, I’ve a youngster come to become a fast bowler. We tweaked his process as leg spin suited him better. They now call him the local Shane Warne. We’ve had several players like this, where we try to intervene minimally but in key areas.”

His coaching journey, however, began much closer to home — with his eldest daughter, Limansa Tilakaratne, who plays for Sri Lanka’s Under-19 side.

If Dilshan is measured in his approach as a coach, he is unmistakably proud as a father. His face lights up when speaking about ‘Limmy’ and the work ethic that has driven her rapid rise.

“I’m really happy with her. Even on days when she goes for a match in the morning and doesn’t perform well, she will come back at 7 o’clock and says, ‘Taati (short for Thaaththaa, colloquial Sinhala word for father) we’ll go to the nets. Then even if it is 9.30 or 10 in the night, I’ll book the indoor nets and we’ll go and train for an hour. That is the kind of passion she has and that’s why in a very short period, she’s performing at a high level.”

For nearly two decades, Dilshan was the attraction – the innovator who thrilled crowds and forced opponents to rethink the game. Soon, though, the roles will reverse.

The 18-year-old is currently with the U-19 side playing a white-ball series against India in Chennai and Puducherry. 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 on Jun 26, 2026