SL vs BAN 1st Test: Sri Lanka debutant Rathnayake changes bowling arm to target batter's weakness
Ambidextrous Sri Lanka spinner Tharindu Rathnayake said he switched his bowling arm according to the weakness of the batter on strike as he took two wickets on the first day of his debut Test match against Bangladesh on Tuesday.
Both of Rathnayake's wickets came from right-arm deliveries in the first session, but the 29-year-old also bowled with his left arm as visitor Bangladesh posted 292 for three at Stumps in Galle.
'We talked about what each batsman is better at facing, and which sides they hit to. So, I try to create plans around their weaknesses, and change which arm I'm bowling with according to that,' Rathnayake was quoted by ESPN Cricinfo as saying.
Rathnayake is not the only ambidextrous spinner in the Sri Lanka team, with Kamindu Mendis also known to bowl with both arms. But all-rounder Mendis has taken only 31 First-Class wickets in 56 matches while Rathnayake, primarily a bowler, has 337 in 73 appearances.
'I don't know which arm I've taken more wickets with. I've never looked at it properly. I've bowled a lot with both my arms,' Rathnayake said.
'When I started First-Class cricket, I bowled a lot with my left arm. But later, after a couple of years, it became about 60 per cent right arm and 40 per cent left arm.'
Sri Lanka will play two Tests against Bangladesh this month, followed by three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals in July.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
42 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘His record nowhere near as good as Sachin's': Gavaskar says ‘jarring' to see England pacer's name first in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar voiced his displeasure after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently renamed the prestigious Pataudi Trophy as the Anderson-Tendulkar last week in honour of James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar, with the England pacer named before India's batting maestro in the relaunched Test series. In his column in the Mid-Day, Gavaskar slammed the ECB for failing to understand the magnitude of Tendulkar's, which he considered to be ahead of England pace legend Anderson's achievements. While Tendulkar remains the highest run-scorer (34,357) in international cricket, Anderson retired last year as the most successful pace bowler of all time with 991 wickets across formats. 'The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) is fully entitled to call the series by any name they choose, but for most, if not all, Indian cricket lovers, it is jarring to know that Anderson's name comes first. Not only is Sachin Tendulkar, along with Kapil Dev, the greatest Indian cricketer, but also senior to Anderson by more than a dozen years,' Gavaskar wrote. Gavaskar also urged Indian fans and media to start calling the rechristened series as the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy, brushing off an argument for the alphabetical preference. 'He is numero uno as far as runs and centuries are concerned in Test cricket, but also at the one-day level, too, he has more runs than anybody else. Anderson is third in the list of wicket takers in Test cricket, and his record is nowhere as good as Tendulkar's in one-day cricket,' Gavaskar added. Gavaskar highlighted that Anderson was not part of a World Cup-winning side. The veteran pacer was a member of England's T20 World Cup win in 2010, but did not get a game. 'Jimmy Anderson was a terrific bowler, but mainly in English conditions, and his record away is nowhere near as good as Tendulkar's is,' he shared. Gavaskar had also lamented the ECB's decision to retain the Pataudi sentiment by rewarding the winning captain of the five-match series the Pataudi medal in honour of the royal Pataudi family. The former India captain questioned what would happen to the medal if the series ended in a draw. 'The announcement of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy also said that respect would be given to the Pataudis by having a medallion for the captain of the team winning the series. Why the captain and what if the series is drawn? That's why it would have been better to have had a Pataudi medal for the Man Of The Match for every Test, culminating in the Pataudi Trophy for the Player Of The Series. This way, the Pataudis will be remembered after every Test match played as well as after the series is finished in would be interesting to hear what Indian cricket lovers feel on this subject,' said Gavaskar.
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Sparks Debate: Sunil Gavaskar Questions Why Sachin's Name Comes Second
Former India captain and iconic batsman Sunil Gavaskar has publicly criticized the naming order of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the new title for the Test series played between India and England. While acknowledging the ECB's right to christen the series as it sees fit, Gavaskar strongly asserted that the order—placing Anderson before Tendulkar—disrespects not only the seniority but also the magnitude of Tendulkar's legacy. 'For most, if not all, Indian cricket lovers it is jarring to know that Anderson's name comes first,' Gavaskar wrote in his Mid-Day column, urging Indian fans and media to refer to it as the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy instead. The decision to merge and rename the Test series—previously contested as the Pataudi Trophy in England and Anthony De Mello Trophy in India—was presented as a tribute to two modern giants of Test cricket: Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson. Tendulkar, the most-capped cricketer in history with 200 Tests and over 15,000 runs, and Anderson, the most prolific fast bowler in Tests with 704 wickets, are undeniably icons of the red-ball game. However, Gavaskar believes the naming fails to reflect cricketing hierarchy and historical contribution. Tendulkar vs Anderson: A Legacy Comparison Sachin Tendulkar Test Matches: 200 Test Runs: 15,921 Centuries: 51 ODI Runs: 18,426 (highest) World Cup: Winner (2011) James Anderson Test Matches: 188 Test Wickets: 704 (highest among pacers) ODI Record: Moderate World Cup: No title Gavaskar emphasized that while Anderson's Test achievements are historic, they do not eclipse Tendulkar's multi-format dominance, especially considering Anderson's effectiveness has largely been in English conditions. Gavaskar's Broader Appeal: Let the Fans Decide In his column, Gavaskar didn't merely critique the ECB and BCCI's naming decision—he called upon Indian cricket fans and media to organically reclaim the narrative. 'I urge all Indian cricket lovers including the India media to call it the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy,' he wrote, appealing to a form of cultural and sporting correction. This echoes his earlier disappointment when reports emerged that the Pataudi Trophy would be retired. Gavaskar had then remarked that it reflected 'a total lack of sensitivity to the contribution made by the Pataudis to cricket in both England and India.' The Sentiment vs the Statute While there is no official rulebook for name order in such bilateral honors, the convention often places the senior or more globally influential name first. Given Tendulkar's broader impact on international cricket—especially across all formats and geographies—many feel Gavaskar's point holds merit beyond nationalistic sentiment. Yet, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy also represents a symbolic coming together of two cricketing cultures, with Anderson embodying England's modern fast-bowling legacy and Tendulkar standing as India's most revered batting icon. A Trophy That Reflects Two Eras As the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy begins a new chapter in the storied rivalry between India and England, it's clear that the renaming has sparked deeper conversations—about cricketing legacy, national pride, and how we choose to remember sporting legends. Whether fans and commentators choose to echo Gavaskar's call and refer to it as the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy remains to be seen. What is certain, though, is that this debate adds yet another layer of intrigue and passion to a rivalry that continues to define the soul of Test cricket.
India Today
9 hours ago
- India Today
Call it the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy: Gavaskar slams England board's jarring move
Former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar, slammed the England cricket board (ECB) for having James Anderson's name ahead of Sachin Tendulkar's when renaming the Pataudi Trophy, England's home Test series against in his column for Mid-Day, was critical of the English board for failing to account for Tendulkar's career, which is miles ahead of Anderson's achievements across all aspects. He also suggested that the Indian legend has been superior across multiple formats as batting great even urged Indian cricket fans to call the ongoing series the Tendulkar-Anderson trophy instead. He did not buy the argument that the series was named in alphabetical order and called it lame altogether. ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 3 - Live UpdatesThe Pataudi Trophy was given to the winner of the Test series in England against India. The tradition began in 2007 when they celebrated the 75-year anniversary of the contest between the two top teams in English soil.'The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) is fully entitled to call the series by any name they choose, but for most, if not all, Indian cricket lovers, it is jarring to know that Anderson's name comes first. Not only is Sachin Tendulkar, along with Kapil Dev, the greatest Indian cricketer, but also senior to Anderson by more than a dozen years," Gavaskar is numero uno as far as runs and centuries are concerned in Test cricket, but also at the one-day level, too, he has more runs than anybody else. Anderson is third in the list of wicket takers in Test cricket, and his record is nowhere as good as Tendulkar's in one-day cricket," he even highlighted how Anderson was never part of a team that won a World Cup. Interestingly, Anderson was part of the England squad that won the T20 World Cup in 2010 but never got a game under his belt."Jimmy Anderson was a terrific bowler, but mainly in English conditions, and his record away is nowhere near as good as Tendulkar's is,' he CRITICAL OF PATAUDI MEDALLIONGavaskar had his fair share of questions when the Pataudi medal was announced to pay respect to the royal Pataudi family, who had a lasting impact on the sport within the ECB announced that the medallion would be given to the series-winning captain. However, Gavaskar questioned what would happen should it end in a draw. Instead, he suggested providing the medallion for the man of the match."The announcement of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy also said that respect would be given to the Pataudis by having a medallion for the captain of the team winning the series. Why the captain and what if the series is drawn? That's why it would have been better to have had a Pataudi medal for the Man Of The Match for every Test, culminating in the Pataudi Trophy for the Player Of The Series. This way, the Pataudis will be remembered after every Test match played as well as after the series is finished in would be interesting to hear what Indian cricket lovers feel on this subject," said Gavaskar. Meanwhile, England have put in a fantastic batting display to get them close to India's score and giving the visitors a six-run lead. India ended Day 3 on 90 for two with a lead of 96 runs to his name. Must Watch
