By Marlon Dale Ferreira
Niroshan Dickwella will return to Sri Lanka from the 2026 Asian Games in Japan with something many sportsmen spend an entire career chasing, an international medal. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter is now an Asian Games bronze medallist after Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 63 runs in the third-place playoff. There is, however, one rather extraordinary detail: Dickwella did not play a single match.
For most athletes, standing on an international podium is the culmination of years, sometimes decades, of sacrifice, relentless training, injuries, setbacks and the proverbial blood, sweat and tears. Then along comes Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella. After spending years in the international wilderness, the wicketkeeper-batter was recalled to the national setup, including a controversial selection for the two-Test series against India that drew considerable criticism in Sri Lankan cricket circles. He was then picked for Sri Lanka’s T20 squad for the Asian Games. After all the debate surrounding his return, Dickwella now heads back to the island with an Asian Games bronze medal, without batting, keeping wicket or playing a single competitive delivery at the tournament.
For statisticians attempting to measure his Asian Games contribution, the numbers could hardly be easier to calculate:
Matches: 0
Innings: 0
Runs: 0
Catches: 0
Stumpings: 0
Medals: 1
Perhaps winning an Asian Games medal really can be a piece of cake.
The Comeback That Never Quite Got Started
Dickwella’s inclusion in Sri Lanka’s Asian Games squad had already attracted attention because it represented another step in his return to international cricket after a lengthy absence.
At 33 and with considerable international experience behind him, he was one of the most recognisable names in the 15-member squad captained by Sahan Arachchige.
He travelled to Japan ready for his latest international opportunity.
The opportunity to actually take the field, however, never arrived.
Sri Lanka’s quarter-final against Nepal on September 29 was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain. As the higher-ranked team, Sri Lanka progressed to the semi-finals.
Dickwella had therefore successfully negotiated his first Asian Games knockout fixture without facing a delivery, taking a catch or putting on the wicketkeeping gloves.
To be fair, so had everyone else.
India Bring Sri Lanka Back to Earth
Sri Lanka finally played cricket when they met India in the semi-final on October 1.
Dickwella was not included in the playing XI, with Sohan de Livera selected behind the stumps.
India amassed 169 for seven before Sri Lanka collapsed for just 45 in 9.5 overs, suffering a 124-run defeat and dropping into the bronze-medal playoff.
Dickwella’s tournament statistics remained untouched.
Still zeroes everywhere.
One Last Chance – From the Bench
Sri Lanka then faced Bangladesh with an Asian Games bronze medal at stake.
Once again, Dickwella remained outside the playing XI, with de Livera retaining the wicketkeeping duties.
Sri Lanka recovered from early difficulties, with captain Sahan Arachchige contributing 33 before Tharindu Ratnayake produced the innings that changed the contest.
Ratnayake smashed 65 from only 32 deliveries, including seven fours and five sixes, helping Sri Lanka reach 165 for nine.
Bangladesh were subsequently dismissed for 102 in 17.3 overs as Sri Lanka completed a convincing 63-run victory.
Sri Lanka had its bronze.
And so did Dickwella.
Dickwella Wasn’t the Only One
There is, however, one important footnote to Dickwella’s unusual Asian Games story.
Young fast bowler Garuka Sanketh was also a member of Sri Lanka’s squad but did not feature in either of the team’s two completed matches.
That leaves the pair with an unusual set of tournament statistics:
Niroshan Dickwella – Matches 0 | Medals 1
Garuka Sanketh – Matches 0 | Medals 1
Other members of the squad who missed the bronze-medal match had featured earlier in the competition, meaning Dickwella and Sanketh shared the distinction of completing Sri Lanka’s medal-winning campaign without making a playing appearance.
No ducks.
No dropped catches.
No expensive overs.
No questionable reviews.
And one Asian Games bronze medal each.
A Medal Is Still a Medal
Behind the humour, there is an important qualification. Cricket is a squad sport, and players selected for major tournaments remain part of the team’s preparation, training and support structure whether or not they ultimately make the playing XI.
Sri Lanka’s unusually short campaign also played a significant role. With the quarter-final washed out, the team played only two completed matches, the semi-final against India and the bronze-medal contest against Bangladesh.
There was therefore little opportunity for squad rotation.
Nevertheless, Dickwella’s Asian Games experience adds an extraordinary chapter to an already eventful international career.
Niroshan Dickwella returned from the international wilderness, earned a place in Sri Lanka’s Asian Games squad, reached the semi-final stage with the team and ultimately became an Asian Games bronze medallist, all without playing a single match.
Zero appearances. One Asian Games medal
Sometimes the scorecard does not tell the whole story. And sometimes, apparently, you do not even need to appear on one.
