Maheesh Theekshana: All About The Sri Lankan Cricketer!

Morawakage Maheesh Theekshana is a Sri Lankan international cricketer who represents the country in all three formats of the game. A Right-arm off-break bowler, Theekshana has a bowling action that resembles Ajantha Mendis, the former Sri Lankan international spinner. 

On 7th September 2021, the cricketer played his debut One Day International match for Sri Lanka and managed to score a wicket in the very first ball of his international debut. In the Indian Premier League, Theekshana plays for the franchise Chennai Super Kings and was part of the 2023 IPL championship-winning team.

Maheesh Theekshana Physical Stats

Maheesh Theekshana Family

Born on 1 August 2000, Maheesh Theekshana was brought up by his grandmother Padmini. The cricketer also has two sisters. Theeekshana did not belong to a financially well-off family and his grandmother looked after the kids with whatever little means she had.

Maheesh Theekshana Education

In 2006, Maheesh Theekshana joined Samayawardhana MV, Colombo 8 for his Gade 1 studies. The following year, the cricketer enrolled at Sri Siddhartha Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Sedawatta, and continued till his Grade 10. Later, Theekshana joined St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena in Colombo to pursue his college studies.

Maheesh Theekshana Controversies

In the IPL 2022 auction, Theekshana was picked by Chennai Super Kings franchise for Rs.70 lakhs. It led to a furore on social media as the CSK fans were irked due to the reason that the cricketer hailed from Sinhalese origin.

In May 2009, it was the Sinhalese soldiers who indulged in war crimes against Sri Lankan Tamils during the military action against the LTTE. Thus, in the wake of Maheesh Theekshana’s selection to the IPL team, CSK fans were infuriated and the hashtag #Boycott_ChennaiSuperKings soon started trending on social media.

Maheesh Theekshana Profession

Theekshana started his cricketing career by enrolling at the Asoka de Silva School of Cricket in 2010. He learned the initial lessons of cricket under coaches Thilak de Silva and W.A.D.S. Ramyajith. In the same year, Maheesh Theekshana went on a Malaysian tour representing his academy. 

Later, during his school days at Sri Siddhartha Madya Maha Vidayalaya, the boy started attending cricket practice sessions at school. Theekshana went on to represent the school under-13 team from 2011 to 2013. During that time, he was also picked for the Colombo North under-13 team. 

With the aim of advancing further in his cricketing career, Theekshana joined St. Benedict’s College. With the turn of events, the youngster was selected for the Colombo North under-15 team and the Western Province North under-15 team in the Prima Champions Trophy.

At the age of 19, Maheesh Theekshana got an opportunity to represent Colts CC in the Premier League under-23 tournament. The youngster delivered a stellar performance by taking 19 wickets in just three matches. Theekshana was also selected as the “Best all-rounder in Division One”.

In August 2021, Maheesh Theekshana was selected for the SLC Blues squad for the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament. Following his exceptional performance in the tournament, the youngster got selected for Sri Lanka’s ODI and Twenty20 International (T20I) squads for their series against South Africa. He managed to take 4 wickets for 37 runs which led to Sri Lanka winning the series.

On 10th September 2021, Theekshana made his T20I debut. In the same month, he managed to find a place in Sri Lanka’s 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad. In the tournament, Theekshana emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker. On 8 July 2022, he made his test debut against Australia. 

In the 2022 IPL, Maheesh Theeskshana achieved the distinction of being the youngest bowler ever to take a four-wicket haul in an IPL match. Later, the cricketer was selected for the 2023 Asia Cup. In the match held against Pakistan on 14 September, the youngster strained his right hamstring while fielding.  

Maheesh Theekshana Source Of Income

Theekshana’s main source of income is from playing cricket in international matches and IPL. Reportedly, his net worth stands at $1 million.

Lesser Known Facts About Maheesh Theekshana

• In 2020 August, the cricketer joined the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army. The following year, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

• At one point in time, he weighed 105 Kg, and being overweight started taking a toll on his career. To regain his fitness, the youngster stopped eating rice, fried fish, and snacks for months. He also used to do rigorous workouts in the gym and ran several laps around the Premadasa stadium.

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