Ajantha Mendis

The bamboozling spinner reveals that in the Tests against India, it was most difficult to tame Sehwag

“I understood Tendulkar’s weakness”

Faisal Shariff

Colombo: Cricket’s rookie of the year spoke to cricketnirvana.com during Sri Lanka’s recently concluded home series against India and shared his experience of bowling against ‘the best batsmen in the world’.

Which was the easier bunch to bowl to: The Indian Test or the ODI team?

There wasn’t really much of a difference between the two sides. It was more or less the same for me. My problem in one-dayers was that there were only 10 overs to bowl and it is very difficult to take wickets in that limited time.

Do you think the Indian batsmen are finally beginning to read you?

As time has passed since I first bowled to them this team – which is one of the best in the world – is beginning to understand me. Also other teams must be trying to understand my bowling. But I know that as long as I do the correct thing I will take wickets. If I can’t then I will change my style.

Where did you get the confidence from to perform the way you do?

I feel very happy to be bowling to the best batsmen in the world. After bowling to Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman and Dhoni how can I not be confident. If I can take their wicket, then I can take anyone’s wicket in the world.

Who was the toughest Indian batsman to bowl to?

There was not much of a difference in bowling to most of the Indian batsmen. Their style was similar. But Virender Sehwag was the toughest to bowl to without doubt.

And easiest?

No one is easy in international cricket.

How did you plan Sachin Tendulkar’s dismissal in the Test series?

I had been learning about the batting styles of the Indian batsmen for some time. I understood Tendulkar’s batting style and understood his weakness. That’s how I took his wicket.

Dhoni seems to be playing you well…

I think he batted very well against me. When I put the ball in the right area he defended me. But the moment I put the ball outside that area he punished me. It was an interesting cat and mouse game. That’s why he succeeded more than anyone else against me.

Which batsman are you looking forward to bowling to?

No special batsman as such but I want to bowl to the Australians. They have some great batsmen in their ranks and I am waiting to bowl at them.