He may have reached the end of a commendable career, but there was no sign of fatigue when he walked out to bat after Angelo Mathews won the toss. His 65-ball stay at the crease included three boundaries and the sort of assurance that the Sri Lankan fans had grown accustomed to. As he moved into the 40s, the anticipation of him adding one final milestone to his enviable tally of 47 ODI fifties was palpable. But, it was not to be, as he flicked an Adam Zampa delivery to George Bailey at mid-wicket to fall eight runs short. A few Australian players were quick to run up and offer a pat on the back while the fans afforded him a standing ovation.
"I took the decision a few days back. (I'm) really happy with the way I finished, really happy with what I did for Sri Lanka cricket. Just like my Test retirement, one morning I woke up, on the 25th, and realised this was the time to go. I think it's the right decision, the way I finished my career," Dilshan said, while being feted during the presentation ceremony after the game.
While the 10,000-plus ODI runs will stand out as Dilshan's finest contribution to Sri Lankan cricket, his 106 wickets in 330 matches epitomises the value he added to the team in his 17-year-long illustrious career in the 50-over format of the game.
"I'm really happy I contributed in all three departments. I discussed it (retirement) with my wife and other people," he said.
The decision to quit is perhaps the toughest one that a sportsman makes, but when the emotions settle, pragmatism takes over. Dilshan's case was no different. "There is also no cricket for almost six months after this and it's a good time for giving youngsters a chance. If a youngster can take Sri Lankan cricket forward and score some runs, I'll watch it at home and be happy," a visibly-content Dilshan reckoned.
Dilshan walks away into the sunset at a time when Sri Lanka are just about finding their way out of a long-drawn transition period following the exits of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
Reminiscing on a successful and happy career, characterised by ups and downs in equal measure, he leaves behind a valuable lesson for the next set of flag-bearers of Sri Lankan cricket.
"When I started in 1999 I was a youngster. Every moment I wanted to do something for the side. If I failed in batting, I wanted to bowl or contribute in some other way. Even today I didn't feel I'm old but I've taken this decision and I'm happy. It's not easy after a 17-year career," he said.
Despite the longevity of his time in the field, Dilshan too had to endure the heartache of being left out of the side and return to the drawing board.
"Around 2008 the selectors dropped me, not taking me to the Australia tour. Then I thought I could do more in the side. I called Mahela, the captain at that time, and said don't pick me as middle-order batsman and pick me as an opener. He said, 'okay, so go and open in domestic competition'. In the first game I scored 190 and finished 30 or 40 overs in most matches. Then I went to Pakistan and scored well. Since then I have continued to bat at the top," reminisced Dilshan about the change in his batting role.
Beyond the runs and wickets, Dilshan will always be heralded for the innovation he gifted to modern-day batsmanship, one that was born out of a necessity rather back in 2008. "The Dilscoop, I first tried in 2008 in South Africa against Australia because I knew nobody could stand behind the wicketkeeper, it was frustrating for them. I practised it and then played it in the 2009 World Cup against Watson and I'm happy there's one shot named under (after) me."
Dilshan's final hurrah from international cricket will come in the two T20Is against Australia, scheduled for September 6 and 8 in Colombo and Pallekele respectively.
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