5) 160, India v Sri Lanka, Rajkot 2009
In many ways, 2009 turned out to be a career-defining year for the affable cricketer. He aggregated exactly 1,000 runs at an average of 55.55 in the 50-over format. He also essayed four hundreds that year, but he saved his best for a beleaguered Indian bowling line-up in Rajkot.
On a batting paradise, India finished up with a mammoth 414 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs, but Dilshan's blazing start left the packed stadium in a state of stupor. His full complement of shots was on display that day.
Supple wrists were juxtaposed by judicious manoeuvring of the field, as he drove, cut and pulled to scissor the gaps on both sides of the wicket. A thunderous pull shot and a crisp drive off Zaheer Khan were the pick of the shots.
When Ravindra Jadeja was introduced into the attack, Dilshan greased his innings into top gear by collecting 17 runs in a single over. He even used a volley of scoops to keep the opposition guessing.
Dilshan was finally dislodged after he attempted a slog off Harbhajan Singh, but could only hear the death rattle. At that time, the tourists needed to score at just under seven runs per over, but they fell agonisingly short of the target by three runs. The heartbreaking loss would have shattered the Sri Lankan set-up for a while.
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