He scored 106 to set his country up for a surprise 55-run victory over hosts South Africa at SuperSport Park on Tuesday in the opening match of the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy.
Sri Lanka amassed 319-8 on a run-friendy pitch and spinner Ajantha Mendis snatched three key wickets as South Africa slumped to 206-7 before rain halted play with 74 balls left and the Duckworth-Lewis system came into play.
"I have been in good form for the past 12 months and believe moving from the middle order to the top has helped me a lot," revealed Dilshan after receiving the man-of-the-match award.
"As an opener I feel I have more chances to build an innings and Kumar (captain Sangakkara) and I have developed a wonderful partnership in which we know how to assist each other.
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It was the third ODI century by the 2009 ICC Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year nominee and his career-best 137 came this year against Pakistan in Karachi.
Dilshan struck 16 fours and one six in a near-flawl