Tharindu Rathnayake is quite the cricketing enigma, deftly switching between bowling arms based on the batters’ weaknesses—a skill that seems to come naturally for him. “When I started first-class cricket, I bowled a lot with my left arm. But later, it became about 60% right arm, and 40% left arm,” Rathnayake remarks with nonchalance, despite boasting 337 first-class wickets and 122 List A dismissals.
On his debut Test against Bangladesh in Galle, Rathnayake bowled 15.5 overs of right-arm offbreaks, holding off his left-arm spin for later. Why the preference? “The ball turning into the batter is harder on this wicket, which suits the batters. Right-arm offspin against right-handers with the red ball complicates their play,” he explains. “It gives me more options with field settings. Left-arm spin, on this surface, lets them find gaps and score more easily.”
The extent of Rathnayake’s ambidextrous craft is still unfolding. Unlike Kamindu Mendis, another ambidextrous spinner, Rathnayake is primarily a bowler. Yet, his ability to adapt offers a tactical edge in the modern game, where match-ups are increasingly crucial. “Before we come to the match, we talk about each batsman’s strengths and weaknesses, and I change arms based on that,” he elaborates.
During his Test debut, Rathnayake took two significant wickets, both left-handed batsmen, caught at slip against his offbreaks. Reflecting on the day, he noted, “The Galle pitch improved for batting as the day went on. Early on, there was some moisture, but it dried out and offered little spin. I expect it to remain good to bat on until day four.”
As Rathnayake continues to navigate Test cricket, his unconventional skill set could become an essential asset for Sri Lanka. Whether or not he adds to his debut successes, his adaptable bowling promises intriguing possibilities for future cricketing engagements.
