Congrats - Dilshan - Good Luck:

Dilshan must lead by EXAMPLE

by Premasara EPASINGHE

There is an old Italian proverb, a short well-known saying that states a general truth or give advices; If you want to know that a fish is bad, look at Its head. If a team loses or things go wrong for a side, normally a captain is held responsible. Any rottenness in a captain, spreads through the whole organism. Captaincy can be a hassel.

An interesting dialogue between a General in an army and his second in command proves, if a battle is lost, the general rule is the men who led the troops were to be blamed.

The role of leadership is more significant in cricket than any sports.

I congratulate Tilakaratne Dilshan's, Sri Lanka new cricket captain. He has been a terrific competitor for Sri Lanka. Dilshan is fearless. He is in the mould of the great Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya. Today, Jayasuriya's role is being replicated by another "Powerhouse" - Tilakaratne Dilshan.

Both are outstation cricketers. Sanath Jayasuriya from Matara. Tilakaratne Dilshan from Kalutara. They had humble beginnings and came the hard way with determination, courage, commitment. The path for both of them, were not at all a Bed of Roses. Both of them took challenges. They are unassuming outstation lads. With sheer merit, courage, determination, they came to the top. "College Tie", did not help them. Through sweat, toil, hard work they were selected, at the initial stages.

I divide the Sri Lanka cricket into three phases or periods. When the noble game was introduced to this country by Britishers-Englishmen in 1870s, they dominated. Later, some of the leading Public schools took upto cricket and clubs like Malay CC, Colombo Cricket Club (C.C.C.), Colts, NCC, BRC, SSC, Tamil Union were started. Most of the public school players became the rulers of cricket.

From 1930s-1970s it was the era of the Royalists and Thomians - two leading schools, which started the famous Big Match Battle of the Blues in 1879. The Ceylon cricket captains were mostly Royalists or Thomians.

By 1970's a new order began. Ananda-Nalanda Cricketers dominated the cricket field. In 1982 the first Test captain was elected and he was from Nalanda, Bandula Warnapura.

A group led by that great Ceylon Cricketer off-spinner Abu Fuard, played a leading role in opening new vistas to schools like Ananda and Nalanda and late K. M. T. Perera too supported Abu Fuard in a big way, some outstation schools.

This, I consider as the opening for a new era. As a result doors were opened to outstation schools too. By 1,999, a boy from Matara from Servatius College, Sanath Jayasuriya was elected as Sri Lanka captain. Thus began a new era.

The "Golden Era" of Sri Lanka cricket began in the 1990s. Anandian dynamic left hand batsman Arjuna Ranatunga brilliantly led Sri Lanka to first World Cup victory in 1996. After Arjuna, The mantle fell on Sanath Jayasuriya, Hashan Tillakaratne and Mahela Jayawardena. It was followed by Kumar Sangakkara.

Yugapurusa - Man of the Era

From 1980s to mid 1990s Gamini Dissanayake played a very vital role in shaping the destiny Sri Lanka cricket. In 1981, lovable, charismata leader, Gamini Dissanayake with his astute leadership with and brilliant oratory and with some brilliant cricket officials. Fought hard and won Test status for Sri Lanka. We are all grateful to this "Yugapurusa" - Man of the Era - Gamini Dissanayake. He was ably supported by dynamic Abu Fuard.

The 1996 World Cup victory was a great notable milestone not only for Sri Lanka but also to the entire cricketing world. Sri Lankans revolutionized the world cricket. They turned the ODI format upside down. Both in ODIs and Test they established many batting and bowling records.

They became runners-up in world cups 2007 and 2011. Muttiah Muralidharan became the highest wicket-taker in both Test and ODIs. Sanath Jayasuriya introduced power hitting to the world. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara were Batting artists.

By 1996, Sri Lanka promoted a right hander (Romesh Kaluvitharana) and left hander (Sanath Jayasuriya) to open and hit the ball over the top and thus the most dangerous opening pair - Jayasuriya-Kaluwitharana - was born. It was a new innovation.

Massacre of the Innocents

The England versus Sri Lanka Quarter Final played at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, Pakistan on 9th March 1996, which I commentated on the air waves of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation is still etched in my mind. I call this encounter a massacre of the innocents. England bowlers were thrashed. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 82 runs in 44 balls with 13 boundaries and 3 sixes. Against India at Feroz Shah Kotta, Delhi, on 2nd March 1996, Sanath Jayasuriya scored 79 in 79 balls with 9 boundaries and 2 sixes.

Today, Tillakeratne Dilshan has taken over the role of Sanath Jayasuriya. In the recently concluded 2011 ICC World Cup he was number one batsman with an aggregate of 500 runs. They were innings of surpassing talent and power. At his most vicious, Dilshan picked up balls from the middle stump dispatched to the boundary.

In the recently concluded World Cup 2011, as a Sri Lanka commentator who gave live commentaries from Ahamadabad, Nagpur and Mumbai of Derana Radio, I saw the batting process of all round performance of Dilshan Tilakaratne.

Dilshan in the mould of Sanath

Dilshan is a destroyer like Deli man Virendra Shewag. The new Sri Lankan skipper Dilshan right hander, is a fantastic, terrific power-hitting batsman. He and his able opening partner left hander Upul Tharanga from down south created history as openers.

This brilliant formidable openers tormanted many bowlers in the ICC 2011 World Cup. Both openers Dilshan Tilakaratne and Upul Tharanga were in top form. Their unbeaten opening performanship of 230. Both notched centuries against England.

These two made the English bowlers mere pedestrians in the field. They followed with another big partnership in the semi final. For Dilshan and Upul, consistency was their forte.

Unassuming, charming, lovable personality, Tillakaratne Dilshan, is quite capable of deploying whatever skill his players have at their disposal in the coming English Tour. This Tour will be an Acid Test for Dilshan. He is fortunate to have in his side, two "Senior statesmen in cricket" past captains of repute, Mahela Jayawardane and Kumar Sangakkara.

As a cricketer, coach, Master-in-Charge of cricket and Prefect of Games at Nalanda Vidyalaya, Colombo, Sri Lanka and as a school cricket selector in the late 1960's and as an Internationally reputed cricket commentator, and a former member of Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee (ICC Awardee) and a former member of the Sri Lanka National Sports Council, with my experience, I sum up a successful captain in word _Versatile. A captain need a patience of a Saint, Diplomacy of an Ambassador, the compassion of a social worker and a skin of a Rhino.

Discipline - On and off the field A Must

The hallmark of a potential captain is that he must be always willing to listen and learn, maintain a very high standard of discipline - on and off the field. He must be always unassuming. He must be a good Public Relations Man and an individual who talk sense when he opens his mouth, thinks carefully before he makes a public statement.

Tilakaratne Dilshan's name is now a household name in the World of Cricket. He lit up 2011 ICC World Cup with his brilliant batting. He is humble. He sports the enchanting smile so successfully mirrors the culture of the Paradise.

In short, captain must get the best out of his team by helping them to play together without suppressing their flair and uniqueness. It is a requirement of a captaincy not to panic in situations.

He must be level-headed, intelligent and cool. The captain should be worth his place in the side as a player. The great captains like Sir Frank Worrel, (West Indies) Ritchie Benaud (Australia), Mike Brecreley (England) commanded respect, had some indefinable quality called Charisma. This helps to inspire others by means of Love, Admiration, Affection and also a Touch of Fear.

Captain has to be a half a dozen men all rolled into one. He has to have a nerve to see what is happening around and he has to take decisions. He must be a hundred percent team man. He should have a poise of a financier. The human understanding of a psychologist, ten years more cricket knowledge. He must be psychologist, ten years more cricket knowledge he can possess and a patience of a saint.

Sound knowledge - Calm Judgment

Most teams going into World Cup felt, the key was a solid start, a steady acceleration and a hearty slog at the end. It is a cricketing fact of life. In 1996, Sri Lanka upended this train of thought.

Against India, they scored 50 off the first 5 overs, against England they smashed 100 of the first ten overs, against poor Kenya, they created a world record - 399 in 50 overs. I remember, at Asgiriya, the crowd danced and sang in the rain.

The, most important qualification for a God Captain are sound knowledge of the game, a calm judgment and the ability to inspire others with confidence.

It should be remembered, a good leader, of men can contribute something to his side.

A great bowler or a batsman may have the potential to destroy opponents. Shrewd captaincy can have the same effect. Captain does not have an average 100 with the bat. A man who handles people well and have a knack of leading a game is very important to the success of a team.

Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan was born on October 14, 1978 - Kalutara, Sri Lanka. The major team that he represented are Sri Lanka, Asia XI, Basnahira South, Bloomfield C and AC, Delhi Daredevils, Kalutara Town Club, Northern Districts, Royal Challengers, Bangalore, Sebestianites C and AC and Singhe Sports Club. He played for Kalutara Vidyalaya coached by Ranjan Paranavitana, a sports writer of repute.

Batting - fielding

The new Sri Lanka cricket captain is a fine all rounder and he is a wicket-keeper too. He is a right hand opener and a dashing batsman.

Tillakaratne Dilshan played in 66 Test Matches in 105 innings scored 3990 runs and unbeaten on 11 times. His highest score is 168. His strike rate is 65.65. Upto date (5.5.2011) he scored 11 centuries, 16 fiftees, 488 boundaries, 18 sixes. Dilshan Tillakaratne held 73 catches.

He played in 203 ODI's, in 179 innings. Unbeaten on 30 occasions, collected 5456 runs with a highest score of 160. His strike rate in this format is better than in Tests. He maintained a SR of 87.54. In ODI's he scored 10 hundreds and 22 fiftees, 560 boundaries, 35 sixes. He held 87 catches and as a keeper 1 stump. T 20 internationals, Dilshan Tillakaratne played in 32 matches (Before the IPL 2011) in 31 innings, he was not out 5 times, scored 96 n.o. With an average 29.15. He maintained a strike rate 120.76, and 50 fiftees. He had 92 boundaries, 12 sixers. He held 13 catches and 2 stumps.

In his first class career, he played 201 matches and in 324 innings, being not out 22 times, scored 11,656 runs, with a highest score of 200 n.o. His average was 38.59. He collected 30 hundreds, 49 half a centuries held 337 catches, and 23 stumps.

Tillakaratne Dilshan played 298 List 'A' matches, in 268 innings, not out 43 times, scored 8783 runs with top score of 188. Average 39.03. He scored 17 centuries, 42 fiftees, held 165 catches and 8 stumps.

Twenty 20 - he played in 85 matches. In 82 innings, remained unbeaten on 10 occasions, scored 1767 runs. Highest score 96 n.o. - Average 24.54. Fantastic strike rate - 118.43. He scored 12 fiftees - with 202 boundaries and 39 sixes. He held 38 catches and 3 stumps.

In the 2011 ICC World Cup, he scored the highest aggregate 560 runs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, in 66 Test matches bowled 1304 balls in 46 innings. He gave away 633 runs, captured 19 wickets.

In 203 ODI's, in 115 innings, in 3163 deliveries, gave away 2495 runs, and took 62 wickets.

In 32, T 20 Internationals, in 12 innings, in 151 balls took 4 wickets.

In 201 first class matches, Tilakaratne Dilshan bowled 3916 deliveries, gave away 1884 runs, took 62 wickets.

Playing in 298 list A matches, he delivered 4523 balls, gave away 3480 runs, captured 97 runs.

Twenty 20 encounters he played in 85 matches in 42 innings, bowled 499 balls, gave away 591 runs, captured 18 wickets.

Dilshan you have a Big Challenge. Take it up. I wish you good luck and success in your future endeavours.