Did Jaiswal’s IPL Offer Tempt Dickwella Into His Dismissal?

Niroshan Dickwella was dismissed by Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna, with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant completing the catch behind the stumps. Yet after the dismissal, Ravindra Jadeja, Pant and other Indian players appeared to congratulate Yashasvi Jaiswal. The reason was a humorous exchange between Jaiswal and Dickwella shortly before the wicket.

The incident began in the 60th over of Sri Lanka’s second innings. Krishna was repeatedly bowling short deliveries, and Jaiswal wanted Dickwella to take on the challenge by attempting a hook shot. At one point, Jaiswal walked across from square leg towards Dickwella and began teasing him about his approach to the short ball.

Jaiswal pointed out that Dickwella had not played many attacking shots against short deliveries during his first-innings score of 80. He told the Sri Lankan batter that he wanted to see him play something more adventurous this time.

Dickwella simply replied, “Okay.”

Jaiswal was not finished. Pointing towards the Galle Municipality Stand, he encouraged Dickwella to hit the ball in that direction, saying he wanted to see him produce an attacking stroke.

Dickwella responded with a joke of his own, effectively reminding Jaiswal that he was not the sort of batter who routinely played the hook shot.

The conversation then took an unexpected turn towards the Indian Premier League. Dickwella jokingly told Jaiswal that he would take on the short ball if Jaiswal picked him for the IPL. Jaiswal immediately played along, assuring him that he would take him “100 per cent”.

The next delivery was cut away for two runs by Dickwella, but the banter continued. Jaiswal again encouraged him to aim for the stands, adding that if Dickwella managed to hit the ball there, he would speak to Kumar Sangakkara about him.

Sangakkara’s name was particularly relevant. Jaiswal plays for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, where Sangakkara has been involved in the coaching and cricket operations setup. Dickwella, meanwhile, has known Sangakkara for many years. Both attended Trinity College in Kandy and later played together in Sri Lanka’s Test side towards the latter part of Sangakkara’s international career.

However, Dickwella never managed to send the ball into the stands.

Krishna bowled another short delivery. This time, the ball was close to Dickwella’s body as he moved backwards and attempted to cut it. The resulting edge flew through to Pant, who took the catch cleanly.

Dickwella’s innings ended at 12 from 17 deliveries.

Technically, there was little doubt about who deserved credit for the wicket. Krishna bowled the delivery, while Pant completed the catch. Jaiswal had no direct involvement in the dismissal.

Yet the reaction from the Indian players suggested that they saw a different story behind the wicket. After all, Jaiswal had spent several deliveries challenging Dickwella to attack the short ball, and the Sri Lankan batter eventually attempted exactly that kind of risky stroke.

It made for an amusing moment in an otherwise intense Test match. Whether Dickwella was genuinely influenced by Jaiswal’s IPL joke or simply misjudged Krishna’s delivery is impossible to say. But the timing certainly made the exchange memorable.

In the end, the IPL promise remained a joke, while Dickwella’s attempt to entertain his opponent came at the cost of his wicket.