Why do we persist with Dilshan even tho' he lacks consistency?

bcoz he is a match winner and can turn a game on its own,although he is going through a rough patch but that doesnt mean he cant perform.he has done realy well for SL cricket in past,so he deservs some chance to get his form back.

I'm afraid I'm going to disagree with a lot of what you said. Dilshan has been MORE consistent than Tharanga. That's the reason why Dilshan is a pillar in our batting order, he's scored more centuries than any other team member in ODIs for the past two years. Tharanga however, seems to be clueless against pace bowling just outside offstump. In the first match, he edges were so sexy that 95% of his runs came in third man region.

However, I think it's time we started opening with Tharanga and Mahela more, because their partnerships have been a lot more consistent than Dilly and Tharanga or Dilly and Kusal Perera.

FYI ,If you think Tharanga's 174(Which usually comes once in a blue moon) is masterclass.i'd like to say in SL's history in cricket Dilshan is the only player who scored over 150 twice apart from Sanath Jayasuriya.

And Dilshan is the most consistence batter for SL in the last year along with Sanga.

And Dilshan already in the top 10 ODI batters according to the ICC rankings.

Tharanga has talent and i admire him very much and recommend him over anyone in the absence of Dilshan.But he need to figure out coping with the ball just outside offstump.

I don't really see him being inconsistent machan..He has been very consistent in last few tournaments.. He was the highest run scorer in last WC. Yes he is not a great technician when it comes to batting but it's his style and it has worked for him and SL. He is 35 but still has it!