Sri Lanka's Tharindu Rathnayake impresses on debut bowling with both arms against Bangladesh

29-year-old ambidextrous spinner picks two wickets in first Test at Galle

Last updated: June 18, 2025 | 13:55

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

1 MIN READ

Tharindu Ratnayake

AFP

Dubai: When a batter looks well settled and is reading the bowler's arm well, what do you do. Sri Lanka's Tharindu Rathnayake has the best solution - switch to the other arm.

That's how Rathnayake confused the batters during his debut Test match against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

On the second day of the first Test, Bangladesh were 423 for four before rain halted play but Rathnayake had picked two wickets - both of it coming from his right-arm deliveries - on the opening day.

Also Read: Record stand puts Bangladesh in command in first Sri Lanka Test

The 29-year-old ambidextrous Sri Lanka spinner said he switched his bowling arm according to the weakness of the batter.

"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 has 337 first-class wickets and 122 List A dismissals 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% right arm and 40% left arm."

Rathnayake is not the only ambidextrous spinner in the Sri Lanka team. Kamindu Mendis also known to bowl with both arms.

Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.