11 Interesting facts about Dinesh Chandimal that you need to know

11 Interesting facts about Dinesh Chandimal that you need to know: The stylish Sri-Lankan batsman Lokuge Dinesh Chandimal is regarded as the next big thing in Sri Lankan cricket. Right from the point he made his international debut, cricket experts and pundits spotted the pedigree of an upcoming legend in him. Though, it would be too early and too much to say anything in that regards. Chandimal is a very solid kind of player with ability to caresses the ball in any part of the ground while his temperament also goes in line with the tempo of Test cricket. Though, in ODIs he has shown invariable performances.

But with passing time the improvement in his skills and game is certainly evident. In 18 Tests he has accumulated 1,167 runs at an average of 41.67 with 3 tons to his credit. While in 100 ODI matches, he has managed only 2,298 runs at a poor average of 31 with strike rate of 76.

Here we list the 11 Interesting facts about Dinesh Chandimal that you need to know:

1. Born:

Dinesh Chandimal was born on November 18, 1989 in Balapitiya, Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed wicket-keeper batsman for Sri Lankan.

2. Beginning of his cricketing journey:

Dinesh Chandimal started his cricketing career at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda. But, it was his association with Ananda College, Colombo which changed his fortunes. He was made the captain of the Under-17 side as well.

3. Domestic records:

In 2009 Dinesh Chandimal won the Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Award. He had amassed 1,580 runs besides leading his school side to 13 consecutive victories. It was the first time in Sri Lankan school history that someone had crossed the 1,000 run mark with the bat as well as captained his side so successfully.

4. First class performances:

Dinesh’s dazzling performances at school level earned him a call up by Kumar Sangakkara for the Nondescripts Cricket Club. At only 19 while representing the Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI against New Zealand which included the likes of Chris Martin, Darryl Tuffey, Ian O’Brien, Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori he scored his maiden first-class century. He has featured in 64 First Class matches in which he averages in excess of 50.

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5. Under-19 performances:

It was Chandimal’s splendid performances at under-19 level that got him reckoning in the national set-up. He had plundered centuries against India Under-19s in August 2007 as well as century in the tri-nation series against England U-19s. He was also part of Sri Lankan U-19 World Cup team in Malaysia in 2008. Chandimal was also a formidable run-getter in Sri Lanka’s Interprovincial Twenty20 competition and ultimately got selected in the national side for the World T20 2010.

6. Disaster:

When Chandimal was only 13 years old he lost his father as well as his home in a nerve-wrecking Tsunami. It was hard for him to even meet his daily needs forget about cricket requirements. He was referred to as chucker during his junior days for his offies.

7. High point:

Chandimal scored his maiden ODI century against the Indians at Harare in 2010 and became the youngest Sri Lankan to score a ODI ton. Then he also went to score a ODI ton at Lord’s. His splendid performances in England, South Africa and Australia made him a regular fixture in the team.

8. Captaincy:

By 2013, he was a key member in the national squad and his consistent displays earned him T20I captaincy while he was made the vice-captain in ODIs. But unfortunately he got injured during the World Cup T20 2014 and subsequently Lasith Malinga was made the captain. When Malinga led Lankan lions to World Cup glory after 18 years, he was made the permanent skipper of the national T20I side.

9. IPL stint:

In the 2012 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, Dinesh Chandimal was bought for $50,000 by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) side but he didn’t feature in any games.

10. Hobbies:

Although, Dinesh Chandimal’s favorite thing is cricket but apart from it he loves listening to music, playing games on computer and also turns to movies for entertainment.

11. Favorite Food:

Dinesh Chandimal loves having Coconut Sambal, Fried dry anchovy sprats, fish, steamed jack fruit every now and then as these dishes are very close to his heart and are his prime favorites.