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Dinesh Chandimal - a modern day T. M. Dilshan
Kamindu Mendis' supreme form in the red-ball game has seen his name on the headlines in the recent times. His incredible batting performances have helped him break records set decades ago. However, one of the unsung heroes that have probably not received accolades he deserves is none other than Dinesh Chandimal.
The former Ananda College batsman was promoted up the order during Sri Lanka's 2-0 series win against New Zealand and as he has always done he did hit the ground running in his new role batting at number three.
Throughout his career he has been forced to bat at several positions in order to help team find the right balance. Following the England series which Sri Lanka lost 2-1, the selectors had to make a tough call on Kusal Mendis.
Many expected that the top order batsman would be dropped due to his poor form in England but Sri Lanka's caretaker Coach Sanath Jayasuriya found an incredible solution to keep Kusal Mendis in the team and also make him keep wickets.
It was felt that his dip in form was partly down to the fact that he had to keep wickets while batting at number three on some occasions. So, Jayasuriya pushed Chandimal up to three while Mendis was dropped down to seven.
This was though wasn't a big talking point because the all the attention was on Kamindu Mendis who was being promoted to five.
To be fair to Jayasuriya and the selection committee, that was a big gamble, which though, paid off magnificently with all three - Kamindu, Kusal and Chandimal making centuries.
But arguably, it was a very tough adjustment for Chandimal moving up to three and getting used to the new ball and changing his batting plans according to the team's need.
In the golden era of Sri Lanka cricket from 1996 to 2014 there have been so many superstars. The two names that often discussed are Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.
Obviously what they achieved is extraordinary individually as well as collectively but one name that probably didn't get the similar recognition was T. M. Dilshan who always had to change his role for the betterment of the team.
He was used in the middle order for a long time and then suddenly pushed up to open the batting and he had to keep wickets for a certain period which was a new role for him. He'd be asked to open the bowling and made captain during the toughest times of that era but still wouldn't probably given the similar recognition as Jayawardene or Sangakkara.
At present though, Sri Lanka haven't really got superstars like they used to in that golden period but Chandimal is one unsung hero who probably deserves more credit because what he achieved batting at number three for the team's betterment was a big achievement.
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