Sports

Sachin Tendulkar lone Indian in Dilshan's all-time ODI XI

Sentinel Digital Desk

NEW DELHI: Batting great Sachin Tendulkar was the only Indian who found a place in former Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan's ODI XI. Dilshan put together a team comprising of top cricketers he played with and against through the course of his international career.

Dilshan named former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya and Tendulkar as his opening pair. "He's one of the greatest openers for Sri Lanka," Dilshan told ESPNCricinfo about Jayasuriya.

"In 1996, Sri Lanka changed the way batsmen attacked bowlers in the first 15 overs and Sanath was the main guy who brought this to world cricket. His approach changed the 50-over game. I think he was one of the best attacking batsmen in the world."

Dilshan said that Tendulkar was 'more stylish' compared to Jayasuriya. "He knew how to set up the game. He's one of most experienced guys in the XI and has the most runs to his name in international cricket. I think it's a good opening combination - one attacking batsman and the other who can be steady, though, of course, Sachin could also attack any time he wanted to. They were the two best openers in the world. And it's a left-right combination," said Dilshan. IANS