Bowling with the new ball is my strength, because I can swing it: Maheesh Theekshana

The recently concluded Lanka Premier League in many ways reflected where Maheesh Theekshana’s T20 career stands. He didn’t top the wicket charts. He wasn’t the most economical either. Yet, he sent more overs than anybody else, a clear reflection that he cannot be ignored, especially if one factors his capability to bowl in the powerplays, in the middle-overs, and at the death. Not to forget the Super Over duties if the need arises.

As Sri Lanka try to put the T20 World Cup misery behind in the series against India starting on Saturday, Theekshana will have a huge role to play. In a team that has Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Theekshana’s role has been modified a bit these days. He still remains the bowler that captains turn to in moments of crisis, but he has to do it differently by first bringing the run-rate under check and allow the likes of Pathirana to attack from the other end.

He explains his role to The Indian Express: “When I’m playing for the national team, since we have wicket-taking bowlers, sometimes I’ve to bowl more economically. Because of the team balance and the composition of the attack with Hasaranga, Pathirana in place, who go for wickets, you need someone to look after the economy as well. Nowadays in T20s, you need to contain as well because it will help others get the wickets. Our plan is to bowl tightly and anyone can get wickets, but one of us has to bowl tight.”

The need to be economical means Theekshana has had to operate on defensive lines at times. At the last IPL, it ended-up in him losing his spot in the XI, but with Sri Lanka he doesn’t have to worry about it. In limited-overs he is still Sri Lanka’s go-to bowler with the new ball, a rare trait for a spinner these days. “I like to bowl with the new ball more because that is my strength,” Theekshana concedes.

Swinging the ball

More than the grip factor, Theekshana’s love for the new ball throws up something unique. “Of course it helps with the variations, but with the new ball I can swing and I can use the pitch as well. That’s how I came to the national set-up and I continue to do that in whichever team I play,” the 24-year-old says.

During the last IPL, at the nets, Theekshana was seen practising with Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach Dwayne Bravo, who specialises in death bowling. Like seamers, Theekshana tried to hit the cones planted on the batting crease. Even with the Sri Lanka set-up, Theekshana has been used as a death bowler in the ODIs, to make up for the lack of options among pacers. “Actually, I can bowl good yorkers. Because I read the batsmen well, I’ve the confidence to do well at the death overs. And because I’ve been good with the new ball, I spend a lot of time bowling with the old ball in the practice sessions,” he says.

“I bowl spot balls (hitting the cones) a lot so that I stay in good rhythm. You need that experience and confidence to execute with both the new and old ball. The other thing is, I’m very clear in what I want to bowl. Before I start my run-up I’m clear when it comes to what variation to bowl and when. If you are confused, then I will struggle to execute,” he adds.

Like India, who are entering the series under a new captain and coach, Sri Lanka too are in a similar boat. With Charith Asalanka installed the new captain and Sanath Jayasuriya the interim coach, Sri Lanka start afresh from the T20 World Cup nightmare “It is a great series to be honest because India are the T20 champions and they have a good team. But we will go with nothing to lose because we had a bad World Cup. As a team we are just looking to get back the momentum we had before the T20 World Cup. We were building up nicely and it is important for us to get that confidence back and put smiles on our people,” Theekshana asserts.

(Watch the India tour of Sri Lanka Live from 7 pm onwards starting July 27 on Sony Sports Ten 5 & Sony Sports Ten 1 in English, Sony Sports Ten 3 in Hindi and Sony Sports Ten 4 channels in Tamil and Telugu.)

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