Sri Lanka’s – cricketing mood may not have been at its peak after missing out on a Champions Trophy berth, but there was some solace in the ICC’s latest announcement – Maheesh Theekshana has ascended to the summit as the world’s number one ODI bowler.
This is the kind of news Sri Lankan fans have been yearning for. There was a time when Sri Lankans regularly occupied the top spots in the rankings, whether for batting or bowling. After a long hiatus, Theekshana has broken the drought, bringing back the glory days – at least in the bowling department.
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It has been a meteoric rise. Theekshana only made his Sri Lanka debut in September 2021, and here he is, just three and a half years later, sitting pretty at the top. Fans will be hoping he can keep a firm grip on that throne for a while. But as the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan once said, “It’s not tough to get to number one. What’s tough is staying there for a long time.”
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Even Theekshana himself was taken aback when he heard the news. During a media interaction earlier this week, he admitted that his primary target had been to become the number one bowler in T20s. But his ODI dominance is no fluke – it’s a testament to sheer skill and consistency. His performances have been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s recent ODI successes, including series wins over Australia and India. It’s worth noting that Sri Lanka defeated both the world’s number one and number two ranked teams in the past six months, with Theekshana playing a pivotal role.
His T20 ambitions remain a work in progress. He currently sits at number seven in the rankings, three spots behind his teammate Wanindu Hasaranga, who is Sri Lanka’s highest-ranked T20 bowler.
It’s players like Hasaranga and Theekshana who have transformed Sri Lanka into a formidable force in white-ball cricket. Even during their golden era, Sri Lanka often relied on one or two match-winning bowlers. But now, they’re building a well-rounded attack. Matheesha Pathirana brings the X-factor with his searing pace, and if left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka can steer clear of injuries, Sri Lanka will be a serious threat at the upcoming T20 World Cup, which they will co-host with India.
For Theekshana, this rise has been nothing short of remarkable. He wasn’t always the mystery spinner we see today. In his early days, he was a chubby medium-pacer, until former Sri Lanka captain Thisara Perera spotted his talent and urged him to join the Army team. Thisara and Dinesh Chandimal had enlisted in the Army to strengthen its cricketing setup, and they were on the lookout for fresh talent. It was at Army that Theekshana honed his craft, following in the footsteps of his coach, Ajantha Mendis, and perfecting the art of mystery spin.
Thisara later revealed how he had to convince SLC Vice President Ravin Wickramaratne to get Theekshana into the Lanka Premier League (LPL) draft. Ravin obliged, allowing Theekshana to enter as an outsider and play for the Jaffna franchise – and the rest, as they say, is history.
Speaking at the same forum, Sri Lanka’s Head Coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, lauded Theekshana’s impact, particularly his ability to share his experience with teammates. Sanath, a man who knows a thing or two about making match-winning contributions, praised the 24-year-old’s work ethic and even predicted that it won’t be long before Theekshana wins Sri Lanka a game with the bat.
Theekshana’s role is unique. He often bowls during the Powerplay, a period where fielding restrictions make life difficult for bowlers. A slight error in line or length, and he’s dispatched to the boundary. But time and again, captains have turned to him after just a couple of overs from the seamers, and he has delivered with remarkable consistency.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his rise is his longevity in an era where mystery spinners tend to fade after their initial impact. Many have arrived with a bang only to disappear without a trace. But Theekshana has defied that trend, evolving his game, staying relevant, and ultimately, reaching the pinnacle of ODI bowling. That speaks volumes about his hunger, discipline, and determination to keep improving.
For Sri Lanka, Theekshana’s success is a much-needed boost in a transitional phase. For the fans, it’s a reminder that despite the ups and downs, the nation still produces world-class cricketers. And for Theekshana himself, this is just the beginning. The real challenge starts now – staying on top and keeping the batters guessing.
