Every team will struggle to read Maheesh Theekshana, he is a skilful bowler: Dasun Shanaka

Maheesh Theekshana produced a match-winning performance to help Sri Lanka post a thumping 78-run win over the South African side in the 3rd ODI. Theekshana was hugely impressive on his ODI debut, and scalped 4 wickets in his 10 overs, giving away 37 runs.

And, the captain of the Sri Lankan side, Dasun Shanaka has showered praise on Theekshana. Shanaka revealed that he initially brought Theekshana into the squad to play in the T20Is against South Africa.

Shanaka added that he played Theekshana in the third ODI as the South African batsmen would find it difficult to read Theekshana on the track that was laid out for the third rubber. Shanaka also added that he took a risk and it worked for the team.

“I actually brought Maheesh Theekshana into the team to play T20s. But I knew that on a track like this where it turns a lot, it’s going to be hard for South Africa to read someone like Theekshana out of the hand. I took that risk as a captain and the selectors and coaches supported me. And that became a big advantage for us,” said Shanaka after the third ODI.

Maheesh Theekshana has got several variations: Dasun Shanaka

Dasun Shanaka further added that Theekshana has played in the Lanka Premier League before, and it is not easy for batsmen to read him as the right arm spinner has got a lot of variations up his sleeve. Shanaka further added that he knows that Theekshana is a skillful bowler.

“He’s played a little bit at the higher levels – not internationals – but he’s played league tournaments like the T10 and the LPL. It’s not easy to read him because he’s now got the googly, and the carrom ball, and his offspin as well. Because he’s got several variations, I don’t think it’ll be easy for any team to read him. But it’s because he has some skill that we used him. It’s not just how difficult to read him, we also know that he’s a skilful bowler,” said Shanaka.

Speaking on the Sri Lankan batting department, Shanaka admitted that there is scope for improvement as the Lankan willow wielders do not execute the sweep and reverse sweep on a regular basis against the spinners. Shanaka concluded by adding that the Sri Lankan death bowling also needs improvement as well.

“Batting is where we have a weakness still. We don’t play enough sweeps or reverse sweeps against spin, and we’ve got to do that in future. We might win series, but we have to focus on how we’re going to score 300 or chase 300 going forward. We also need to figure out our death bowling a little more. Those are the big areas for improvement,” concluded Shanaka.