Ajantha Mendis has played 19 Tests, 83 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 39 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for Sri Lanka. He has played six Tests against India and has picked up 34 wickets. This included two five-wicket hauls. Mendis, who has not been played an international match for Sri Lanka since December 2014, stated that of all the Indian batsmen, MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag have played him the best. Remembering India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2008, where Suresh Raina ransacked Mendis, the bowler is quick to point out that he still managed to pick 13 wickets from five matches.
“But I still got 10 wickets in five matches, didn’t I? But of all the international batsmen I bowled to, MS Dhoni played me the best and so did Virender Sehwag. That Sehwag wouldn’t let us settle in. You couldn’t bowl one loose ball and hope to get away,” Mendis was quoted as saying by Mumbai Mirror.
Mendis was dropped ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Since then, a back injury has delayed his return. However, that is not stopping Mendis preparing himself. Apparently, Mendis sharpened is fingers by milking cows. “They are natural, absolutely god-gifted. But I do train very hard to toughen them. I know that everything about my bowling stems from my fingers.”
He continues, “I realise that I must have a wicket-taking ball. That’s why I am developing off-spin. Variations are necessary especially in T20 and one-day cricket where they don’t cease to attack you. The carom ball can be used as part of my variety, more as a surprise delivery. My bowling can’t be limited to it. One day I will return to the team, but I don’t think I am being missed much. Rangana [Herath] is doing such a tidy job.”
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