Maheesh Theekshana is a Sri Lankan cricketer who has played in many international tournaments for Sri Lanka. He has also played many matches for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL. He is popularly called a mystery spinner due to his bowling variations. He is the first Sri Lankan cricketer, born in the millennium (2000), to play international cricket.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Morawakage Maheesh Theekshana (Zoysa) was born on Tuesday, 1 August 2000 (age 23 years; as of 2023) in Sedawatta, Colombo, Sri Lanka. His zodiac sign is Leo.
A childhood picture of Maheesh Theekshana
He got enrolled at Samayawardhana MV, Colombo 8 in grade 1 in 2006, and during the second grade, he attended Sedawatta Siddhartha Madya Maha Vidyalaya till 10th grade; however, after two boys of St. Benedict’s College, Colombo named Shanthilal Silva and Vivian Saverymuthapulle persuaded her grandmother to move to Kotahena, he started attending St. Benedict’s College where he also played cricket for the school team under coach Rukshan Foux. He later became a professional cricketer.
Maheesh Theekshana during his school days
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 6′ 0″
Weight (approx.): 85 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
He belongs to a middle-class family.
Parents & Siblings
There are not many details available about his parents. He was raised by his grandmother, Akhila Seneviratne. [1]Facebook – Akhila Seneviratne He has two sisters and a younger brother named Sithma Pawan. [2]Facebook – Sithma Pawan
Maheesh Theekshana with his grandmother, Akhila Seneviratne
Maheesh Theekshana’s younger brother, Sithma Pawan
Wife & Children
He is unmarried and has no children.
Other Relatives
He has a cousin (sister) named Bhashini Priyangika who is an entrepreneur.
Maheesh Theekshana with his cousin, Bhashini Priyangika (left)
Relationships/Affairs
In September 2022, he was in a rumoured relationship with a girl.
Maheesh Theekshana with his alleged girlfriend
As of November 2023, he was dating Arthika Yonali.
Maheesh Theekshana with Arthika Yonali (left)
Autograph
Maheesh Theekshana’s autograph
Career
Cricket
Domestic
In 2010, he joined Asoka de Silva School of Cricket where he trained under Thilak de Silva and W.A.D.S. Ramyajith. He later played for Colombo North under-13, Colombo North under-15, and Western Province North under-15 teams. On 1 March 2018, he made his T20 debut for Colts Cricket Club in the 2017-18 SLC Twenty-20 Tournament. On 14 March 2018, Theekshana played his debut List A (one-day) match for Colts Cricket Club during the 2017-18 Premier Limited Overs Tournament. On 7 December 2018, his first-class debut for the same club took place in the 2018–19 Premier League Tournament.
Maheesh Theekshana playing in a domestic match
He trained under the mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis while playing cricket for the Sri Lankan Army Under-23 team and also played in the 2020 Army Commander’s Cup. In August 2021, he represented the SLC Blues team in the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament. He also played for Northern Warriors in the 2020-21 domestic season.
Overcoming Fitness Issues
Based on his good performances in school cricket, he was invited for a trial at the National Cricket Academy at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in 2017. He failed the fitness tests as he weighed 105 kg with a skinfold score of 140 (average being 91-100 and athlete being 81-100) and also took 10.1 minutes to complete 2 km run.
Maheesh Theekshana during his earlier playing days when he was overweight
Although he impressed Simon Willis, the director of cricket at the academy with his bowling, he was not included in the Sri Lanka Under-19 team for the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup due to his fitness issues. He later worked hard on his fitness after joining the Sri Lankan Army in 2020, shelved almost 22 kg weight and reduced his skinfold score by half. He also improved his YOYO test score from 16.1 to 19.2 and reduced the 2 km run timing from 10.1 to 8.28 seconds.
Maheesh Theekshana working out in the gym
International
Test
On 8 July 2022, he made his test debut against Australia and took 1 wicket for 48 runs in the first innings and 2 wickets for 28 runs in the second innings; he also scored 10 runs in the first innings.
Maheesh Theekshana playing in a test match
ODI
On 7 September 2021, he made his ODI debut against South Africa which was remarkable as he took a wicket on his first delivery and took 4 wickets for 37 runs in the match; he also scored 10 runs not out in the match. He helped Sri Lanka to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup by taking 4 wickets for 25 runs in the match against Zimbabwe.
Maheesh Theekshana playing in an ODI
T20I
On 10 September 2021, he made his T20I debut against South Africa and took 1 wicket for 35 runs. On 20 October 2021, he took 3 wickets for 17 runs against Ireland. He helped Sri Lanka win the 2022 Asia Cup by taking 6 wickets for 162 runs in the tournament.
Maheesh Theekshana (right) during his T20I debut
T20 World Cup
Theekshana played 7 matches in the 2021 T20 World Cup and finished the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka with 8 wickets.
Franchise Leagues
Lanka Premier League (LPL)
Theekshana was not eligible to play in the first season of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2020 as Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had placed him in the supplementary category; however, former Sri Lankan captain Thisara Perera was impressed with his bowling abilities and requested Jaffna Stallions to find a way to include him in the squad.
Maheesh Theekshana during a practice session in the Lanka Premier League (LPL)
Stallions management requested SLC to place Theekshana in the Emerging category which was complied with by SLC. Theekshana was acquired by Jaffna Stallions for the 2020 LPL season for $10,000. He played for Jaffna Kings in the 2021 LPL season and finished the season as the highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets. He was acquired by Jaffna Kings for the 2022 LPL season in the Diamond A group ($ 40,000; approx LKR 14 million). He played for them in the 2023 season as well.
Maheesh Theekshana in Jaffna Kings jersey
Indian Premier League (IPL)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) acquired Theekshana for the 2022 IPL season for Rs 70 lakhs against his base price of Rs 50 lakhs; he took 12 wickets in the tournament. He helped CSK win the 2023 IPL tournament by taking 11 wickets in the tournament.
Maheesh Theekshana with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) in the Indian Premier League (IPL)
Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
In July 2022, Trinbago Knight Riders signed him for the 2022 CPL season.
South Africa T20 League (SA20)
In August 2022, Johannesburg Super Kings signed him for the maiden SA20 season in 2023.
Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)
He played for Rangpur Riders in the 2023 BPL season.
Abu Dhabi T10 League
He played for Samp Army in the 2022 Abu Dhabi T10 season.
Maheesh Theekshana with the 2022 Abu Dhabi T10 Trophy
Jersey
Maheesh Theekshana wears jersey number 61 for the national team of Sri Lanka and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL.
Maheesh Theekshana’s jersey number 61
Records
- Became the youngest bowler to take a four-wicket haul in an IPL match on 12 April 2022 (At the age of 21 years 255 days)
Maheesh Theekshana after becoming the youngest bowler to take a 4-wicket haul
Military
In 2020, Maheesh Theekshana joined the Sri Lanka Army. He served as a Private in the Gajaba Regiment after completing his basic training. On 20 September 2022, he was elevated to the rank of Sergeant after Sri Lanka won the 2022 Asia Cup. [3]Sri Lanka Army
Maheesh Theekshana (right) when he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Sri Lankan Army
Car Collection
He owns a BMW 5 Series 530d M Sport.
Maheesh Theekshana with his BMW 530d M sports car
Facts/Trivia
- His batting style is right-handed, and his bowling style is right-arm off-break.
- Theekshana was unable to pay for his fees at St. Benedict’s College, hence St. Benedict’s Cricket Wing arranged funds for his fees with the help of Lucky Rogers, a cricket coach; however, later they recommended Theekshana to Sports Coordinator Rev. Br. Pravin Vaz (FSC), who further approached the school’s Director Rev. Br. Janaka Fonseka (FSC), who gave Theekshana a full scholarship.
Lucky Rogers, Maheesh Theekshana’s coach during one point of his career
- In March 2023, he signed up with BS Cricket Management.
- When Theekshana was signed up by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the 2022 IPL season, a few people protested against his selection as he has served in the Sri Lankan Army. [4]The Morning
- In June 2022, he donated tissue vault, cell, and freezing bags to the Human Heart Valve and Tissue Bank at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in Colombo, when Sri Lanka was in an economic crisis.
Maheesh Theekshana when he donated medical equipment
- He became viral during IPL 2023 when the speedometer showed his delivery’s speed as 152 kph during the match against Mumbai Indians which took the fans by surprise; however, it was later revealed that the bowling speed was an error.
Maheesh Theekshana’s 152 kph delivery
- He is an animal lover and often visits wildlife parks.
Maheesh Theekshana during a visit to a national park
- He is very popular for his celebration style of posing as an archer.
Maheesh Theekshana the archer finds his target on two occasions 🎯#Betway #SA20 #JSKvDSG | @Betway_India pic.twitter.com/J3dGEyMOhH
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 24, 2023
References
