Rex Clementine
at Pallekele

When Sanath Jayasuriya took the reins as Sri Lanka’s Head Coach earlier this year, he didn’t just shuffle the deck – he set about reshaping the entire playing ethos. Fitness, discipline, fielding, running between the wickets, and commitment were the cornerstones of his strategy. Yet, one masterstroke stood out: mandating tail-enders to sharpen their batting skills during practice sessions.

Jayasuriya had identified a glaring gap during the tour of England—the bowlers’ contributions with the bat were meager at best, leaving the team precariously balanced. Thus, net sessions for the bowlers became more than a box-ticking exercise; they had to learn the art of scoring runs not just playing defence.

That foresight bore fruit in spectacular fashion on Sunday at Pallekele. Maheesh Theekshana stepped up to the plate – or rather, the crease – and played a pivotal role alongside Kusal Mendis in scripting a thrilling three-wicket victory against New Zealand. The win wasn’t just another notch on the belt; it ended a 12-year drought in bilateral series wins against the Kiwis.

At 163 for seven, with 47 runs still needed on a pitch that was spinning like a roulette wheel, Sri Lanka’s chances looked bleaker than a batsman caught in two minds. But Theekshana stood firm, facing 44 deliveries to notch a crucial 27 runs, peppered with two fours and a six. His knock, full of grit and sense, helped steer Sri Lanka to a famous win with an over to spare.

“Even our bowlers get to bat at practice, so we know they can contribute when it matters,” Theekshana told reporters, reflecting on the game. “Players like Wellalage, Vandersay, and others are capable of stepping up. The team has confidence that if one player stumbles, the next will rise to the occasion.”

Theekshana shed light on his partnership with Kusal Mendis, which turned the tide of the game. “The plan was simple—bat deep and take the game into the final over. With the dew coming in, it became easier to bat as the match progressed. The spinners struggled to grip the wet ball, forcing them to turn to the quicks. Our strategy to take the game deep worked like a charm,” he explained.

Kusal Mendis, nursing a groin niggle, was visibly struggling but soldiered on to post an unbeaten 74 – a match-winning knock that, coupled with Theekshana’s resilience, sealed the deal.

“When Kusal was on strike, they kept giving him the single, trying to get me on strike. Their plan was to bowl dot balls at me and force a mistake,” Theekshana said with a wry smile. “But they underestimated us. We bided our time, waiting for the loose balls, and when they came, we punished them. They brought the field up for me, and I made the most of the gaps outside the stumps.”

This victory is yet another feather in Sri Lanka’s cap in a year where the team has turned their fortunes around, clinching several bilateral series across all three formats.

“Our bench strength has grown immensely,” Theekshana observed. “Look at Nishan Madushka – he can’t find a spot in the XI despite scoring a 50 and a 40. We have a solid lineup of spinners ready to step in. There’s healthy competition within the squad, and that’s pushing everyone to perform at their best.”