Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana after playing a crucial role in the team's three-wicket win over New Zealand recalled the horror show in ODI World Cup 2023 on Indian soil. After taking three wickets, Theekshana shared an unbeaten 43-run stand with wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis to get Sri Lanka over the line with an over to spare.
"We've got a good bench strength, we have experienced and young players, you need to keep doing well with so much competition around. The World Cup in India (in 2023) was a shame for us, but we've started to win now and the environment around the team is very positive," Theekshana told the broadcasters after the win at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on November 17.
Theekshana scored 27 runs from 44 balls including two fours and a six. He revealed the approach he and Kusal adopted towards the end of the run chase. The 24-year-old was ecstatic after playing the heroic knock given the circumstances of the low-scoring game.
"It was most satisfying for me, I had a chance to become a hero a few matches back, but today I made it. Special credit to Kusal Mendis for his fine knock. They knew they had to take wickets, so they gave a single to him and tried to dismiss me. I played my shots, hit boundaries of bad balls and took the runs on offer. The wicket was really good, we thought the rain made the wicket better. The ball began to spin, we thought if we don't give them wickets, the dew will come and make it difficult for them," he said.
Major turnaround for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka won the ODI series against New Zealand after a gap of 12 years. Earlier this year, they beat Rohit Sharma-led India in the ODI series at home as well. Before New Zealand created history in India with a cleansweep, they lost the Test series on Sri Lankan soil too. Sri Lanka have excelled under head coach Sanath Jayasuriya. They are gearing up for the upcoming ICC events and have a chance to make it to their maiden World Test Championship (WTC) final as well.
Long-running slump in ODI World Cups
Their improvement in the ODI format is a big sign. After facing a defeat against hosts India in ODI World Cup 2011, Sri Lanka couldn't make it past the quarter-final in 2015. In the last two editions of ODI World Cups, they haven't qualified for the semifinals. In 2023, they had just two wins from seven games.
