Sehwag’s wicket eased pressure: Mendis
Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 11:05 | Updated Jul 16, 2008 at 13:33
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Mumbai: Military man and the latest spin sensation from Sri Lanka Ajantha Mendis said that after getting rid of Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag, the pressure eased substantially in the Asia Cup final in Pakistan, where he demoralized the opposition with a six-wicket haul.
"I knew Shewag would come after me. I was under pressure initially. But it all got settled in no time. After Sehwag’s wicket off the second ball of my spell, I was under no pressure," he has been quoted by the Hindustan Times on Wednesday.
"In fact my first international over was to West Indies batsman Chris Gayle (another attacking opening batsman). I got him leg before the wicket in my third over and returned with three for 33 in that match," the lanky spinner, who will be itching to renew his rivalry with the Indian batsmen in the Test series from July 23, adds.
Mendis, who hails from Mortatuwa region in southern Sri Lanka, has not only become a overnight hero but has also made rapid progress in the professional (apart from playing cricket) front as well after he was promoted to an officer’s cadre on the orders of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The honour apart, it meant a salary jump from Rs 15,000 to Rs 35,000.
Mendis, who says that he does not have a role model though he himself is on way to becoming one, surprisingly likes to watch Hindi movies. Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta being his favourite actors.
"I do not have a role model cricketer. I Just try to play my own game and like many youngsters in Sri Lanka, I have been playing with softball cricket and attending local coaching clinics before I was recognized for my all-round ability in match against the army club where I took six wickets and scored 78 runs," he said.
"Soon I was commissioned as a recruit in the army and has since been playing quite consistently taking 68 wickets in eight matches for the army in the last season and helping my club to qualify for the premier first class league this year," he adds.
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