EXCLUSIVE
He is one of Sri Lanka’s main weapons in the World Cup. With a good record for the Chennai Super Kings, he is also well-versed with Indian conditions. And given Sri Lanka’s record in ICC tournaments, it is no surprise that Maheesh Theekshana is quietly confident about doing well on the big stage. In this conversation with Boria Majumdar in the World Cup series of Backstage With Boria, Theekshana opens up on being a mystery spinner, his plans in the 50-over format, bowling with Wanindu Hasaranga, trying to get Virat Kohli out, and much more.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Boria: Sri Lanka have a really good record in ICC tournaments. Though you haven’t won a competition recently, you have always been able to punch above your weight. And the last time the World Cup was held in India in 2011, Sri Lanka were runners-up. How are you looking at it this time round?
Maheesh: You are right about ICC tournaments. We have often wondered why this is the case, and may be it is because these tournaments have a lot at stake and there is always that extra intensity. The platform is bigger and there are a lot many more people watching. You know the importance of these tournaments, and you want to do well. In 2011, we made the final. Now in 2023 we have a good team and a lot of the players know the Indian conditions really well. If we play to potential, there is no reason why we can’t go all the way.
Boria: You mention players knowing the Indian conditions well. Clearly you are referring to the IPL.
Maheesh: Yes and what it does is it gives us first-hand knowledge. We play some of our games in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Delhi and Lucknow, and a lot of us have played in these grounds during the IPL. Dasun [Shanaka] has played for Gujarat [Titans] in Ahmedabad, while Wanindu [Hasaranga] has played for RCB in Bengaluru. In my case, I have played in Delhi and Lucknow. What this means is we know these grounds, have an idea of the conditions, the boundaries and what all we can expect. It makes a serious difference going into a tournament like the World Cup.
Boria: Would you reckon that playing in front of big crowds during the IPL also helps a lot? As in, it helps you get used to playing in packed stadiums for the World Cup.
Maheesh: The passion for the game in India is crazy. And you see that all through the IPL. In Sri Lanka also, people love their cricket. So we get strong crowds in Sri Lanka as well. With the conditions almost similar in India and Sri Lanka, except in Dharamsala where it gets cold, there is no reason why we can’t do well in India during the World Cup.
Boria: You mention the love for the game in Sri Lanka. It was evident to us all that sport played a major role in uniting the country last year when things weren’t going well in Sri Lanka. The Asia Cup win was a balm for a troubled nation. With the country getting ready to shed the bankruptcy tag, a good World Cup will be huge for your people back home.
Maheesh: During the Asia Cup, we knew that we needed to do well for reasons more than sport. People needed something to smile. Something that was a ray of hope. Something that could help them look up and rejoice. The Asia Cup win was one such. When we lost our first game, there was a lot of dejection around. All was doom and gloom. We need to step up. And if you see each of the players, Dilshan, Wanindu, myself, Lahiru Kumara with the ball, Dasun, Pathum, Kusal with the bat, each one of us did well. And when we won the tournament and went back home, it was a sight to behold. There were people everywhere and everyone was happy despite all the suffering. That’s when you realised what this game means to our people back home. It took close to three hours to get out of the airport and go home. We were being celebrated across the country. It will be similar if we are able to do well in the World Cup and make our fans happy.
Boria: You and Wanindu make a really potent spin bowling pair. And in Indian conditions, spin will have a major role to play. Thoughts on bowling in tandem.
Maheesh: Yes, spin bowling is our strength. Wanindu is an excellent bowler, and exerts a lot of pressure on the batters. If we are able to bowl well from both ends, there is always a chance of picking up wickets. In my case, I just try to keep things simple. Cricket is a simple game, which people overcomplicate at times. It is still about line and length. About bowling the right balls. If I am able to do that, I know I will be successful.
Boria: Interesting you say that. People call you a mystery spinner. But with all the technology around, the mystery will certainly get decoded. Your bowling will be analysed and plans made. How do you keep evolving and making your plans?
Maheesh: Let me ask you something for a change. Rashid Khan has been playing for close to a decade now. He plays a lot of franchise tournaments and also for Afghanistan. How many batters have been able to decode his mystery? Why and how is he so successful if he isn’t good enough? There is nothing about mystery or anything. It is about bowling good balls on the right length and with the right line. That’s all that matters. If you are able to do it, wickets will come.
Boria: Sri Lanka will be playing India at the Wankhede on November 2. It is one ground, which will offer some bounce as well to bowlers. Is there any particular strategy you have when you bowl to quality batters like say Rohit [Sharma] or Virat [Kohli], and is there any particular wicket you will eye against India?
Maheesh: The plan is to give singles if I am bowling to such batters in a T20 contest. Because, in a T20 game, no batter wants to get a single and be away from strike. So my plan always is to give them a single. If you are able to do that, you know that a mistake is round the corner. Coming to a 50-over contest, it is a very different plan. You need to pick up wickets in the middle overs to be able to put pressure. And now with four fielders out between the 11th and 40th overs, you know as a bowler the batter will want to take advantage. That’s when you need to be smart, and back your strengths. If you are able to get wickets and push the opposition back, it gives your team a major advantage.
Coming to the India game, I have never got Virat out, so that’s the one wicket I really want to pick.
Boria: Unlike in the past, there is not much talk about Sri Lanka. While you hear people speak of India, Pakistan, Australia, England, and even teams like South Africa and New Zealand, very few are speaking about Sri Lanka. But when I see the team and the bowling attack, I think you have a complete attack for these conditions.
Maheesh: That’s why I said to you that we have a very good chance. Take a look at the pace bowling. In Dushmantha [Chameera] and Lahiru Kumara, we have experience and pace. Matheesha [Pathirana] is also bowling fast, and we have seen in the IPL he can get key wickets for us. Dilshan Madhushanka adds variety to the attack. In spin, Wanindu and I are very confident of doing well in Indian conditions. So, if you see, we have most of our bases covered in the bowling department.
Boria: One area where I think you did a lot of work is fielding. It could well end up deciding the game.
Maheesh: That’s because I am a particularly bad fielder! During the IPL, there was one time when I dropped three consecutive catches. That’s when I decided enough was enough. I couldn’t let my team down. I spoke to some of the good fielders in our team, and put in extra effort into fielding. It is as important as batting or bowling, and as I said, I can’t let my team down on the field. Catches can make a major difference to a game, and if you see, good fielding teams have always done well in important tournaments.
Boria: Final question, does playing under MS Dhoni help you learn to better handle pressure?
Maheesh: MS Dhoni is a fantastic leader and captain. His composure is something each one of us has benefitted from. When you speak to someone like him and see how he handles pressure despite all the hype around, you know how it can or should be done. Not just me, each one of us in the Chennai team has learnt from having him around.