IPL 2022 | ‘I was 117 kg at that time’- Theekshana talks about his early days

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner Maheesh Theekshana recently opened up about overcoming fitness issues during his Under-19 playing days.

In a video shared by the Chennai Super Kings on their YouTube Channel, Theekshana revealed that he had a weight of 117 kg during his initial playing days and worked really hard to bring his weight down in 2020.

"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," said Maheesh Theekshana.

"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," Theekshana added.

The Colombo born player was part of Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup squad last year. He had an impressive tournament, in which he picked up eight wickets in seven matches at an average of 17.12 and an economy rate of 5.48. He has featured in 15 T20Is so far for his national side and has 14 wickets to his name at an excellent economy rate of 6.41.

"In 2021, I represented my country. I had a chance in the last one-day game against South Africa. It's remarkable. I never thought that I would be a part of the (T20) World Cup in 2021," the CSK spinner concluded.

Theekshana made his debut for CSK during their eight-wicket loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2022. The 21-year-old bowled a tidy spell in his first-ever match of the IPL. While he failed to pick up a wicket in the contest, he conceded just 31 runs from his full quota of four overs. 

In the eight matches of the IPL 2022 thus far, he has claimed 12 wickets at an average of 19.75 and an impressive economy rate of 7.41 while bowling the tough overs in the power-play and the last five overs.