Dinesh Chandimal is known for batting and his wicket-keeping while occasionally doing the job as a fielder at any position.
The 33-year-old stylish batsman has vast experience in all three formats of the game, playing 70 Tests, 157 ODIs, and 68 T20s in his career.
“I am ready to bat at any position. When my captain or coach wants my service at any position in the batting order, I am always willing to give my best. Especially in the T20 format, we can’t assure our permanent batting slot,” said Chandimal.
“When I came to the Pallekele ground for the Galle Gladiators game last Tuesday (13) my team management and skipper Mathews asked me open the batting with Niroshan Dickwella and without any hesitation, I accepted that challenge”.
“When I was in school I used to play as an opener and at the club level at NCC and Army SC I used to come in as number three. I think batting higher up the order gives more opportunities to stay at the wicket and collect runs. However, I realised there is a big challenge to enter the National team today and we always work hard for that and keep our momentum to show our skills,” said Chandimal.
Pallekele international cricket ground is a good one with top-class wickets. Playing at an international venue gives a good experience. However the venues Galle and Pallekele are a little different but both venues are good to play this game. Especially we must thank Sri Lanka Cricket and IPG Group to conduct the third edition of LPL during this hard period said Chandimal.
“I can keep wickets as well as play as a fielder at any position while most of the keepers haven’t this ability. Sometimes keepers couldn’t field and Niroshan Dickwella is a player of that caliber. If Dickwella is in the same team, I have to do my job as a fielder and Dikwella is doing wicket-keeping duty”.
“The last game against Galle Gladiators, which have a very strong bowling line-up has been a big challenge for us. We had the plan to chase a big total of 194. After an early wicket of Niroshan Dickwella, the number three batsman Charith Asalanka and I held our nerves.
Asalanka was not among the runs earlier but I said him to get 20-30 runs and settle down first and then I can bat with more confidence to make a good partnership. It was really worked out and later part once again Angelo Mathews was out cheaply but experienced Ravi Bopara and Seekuge Prasanna did the job to win the game. We had good communication and played with more confidence and finally won the game over Galle Gladiators.