'I used to weigh 117 kgs' - CSK spinner Maheesh Theekshana recalls his early days struggle

While Chennai Super Kings aren’t having the best of IPL 2022, mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana has truly been on a roll. After warming the benches in the first few games, the Sri Lankan international got a chance in the playing XI and he made the most of the opportunity. Theekshana has helped CSK take crucial wickets in the middle overs and his ability to keep the scoring rate down makes him even more effective. So far, he has taken 12 wickets from eight outings.

Meanwhile, everything wasn’t hunky-dory for Theekshana a few years back and he had to grind hard to earn this fame and success. The 21-year-old, who was picked for INR 70 lakh in the 2022 mega auction, narrated how he overcame his fitness struggles to make a name for himself and gain success at the highest level. He also stated playing for CSK was a dream come true for him.

Never thought CSK would bid for me: Maheesh Theekshana

“I was 117 kg at that time (U-19 days), so I had to work harder to get my weight and skin folds down in the yo-yo test. In 2020, I got everything down and brought my fitness to the (required) level. I started to do more hard work on my body,” Theekshana said in a video uploaded on CSK’s Twitter handle.

“In 2020, I had a chat with Ajantha Mendis, and in 2022, I spoke to MS Dhoni. I was with CSK last year as a net bowler. Never thought they would bid for me or pick me this year,” he added. Theekshana also revealed that he often had to warm the benches during his U-19 days due to his weight issues. However, he kept his self-belief intact.

“In 2017-18, I was in the U-19 squad, but I did not get a chance to play because I failed fitness tests a few times. In 2019, I had to be a water boy for 10 games in three-day matches. So I knew that if I failed, I would have to carry the water bottles again. But I kept believing in myself and had that never-say-die attitude. That’s why I am here in 2022,” said Theekshana.