Sri Lanka’s first 21st century-born cricketer Maheesh Theekshana family elated

By BIPIN DANI

In July this year Devdutt Padikkal became the first 21st-century-born cricketer to play for India. On Tuesday, it was Maheesh Theekshana, the right arm off-spinner, who became the first 21st century-born player from Sri Lanka to make debut against visiting South Africa at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

“I am not surprised. It was the right time to hand over the cap to him”, Saman Jayantha , his mentor and the coach at the Colts’ Cricket Club, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said.

“Maheesh has done exceedingly well in the domestic circuit and he has been rewarded”.

In fact, Theekshana already had got some clue about his possible inclusion in the final eleven.

Family elated

“Today is the happiest day in our life. Our greatest hope in life has been fulfilled today”, his grand-mother Indra Padmini said.

“He is in the team because of his hard work and total dedication”.

“My grand-son has strived hard to reach this level. His focus is only to play for the country and write his name in the history book”, the grand-mother, who is also a guardian to Mathees and his two younger sisters (Sathmi and Pinsara), said.