Maheesh Theekshana IPL Profile

Born on 1 August 2000, Mahesh Theekshana is a 'mystery spinner from Sri Lanka who represents Chennai Super Kings in Indian Premier League. The right-arm spinner bowls traditional off-breaks but is also well capable of excellent masked carrom ball, as well as the googly. His constant accuracy and tendency to bowl a wicket-to-wicket line are his most impressive strengths.

Theekshana started his cricketing journey in college by representing St. Benedict's College. Due to his financially deprived condition at that moment, in the first two years, the Cricket Wing of St. Benedict's offered to manage his funds, and afterward, they offered him a scholarship. In his last year at College, he returned the favour by earning the All Island Best All-Rounder Award. He slowly progressed through the ranks and made his List A debut for Colts Cricket Club in the 2017–18 Premier Limited Overs Tournament. 

Although in between he struggled with fitness issues and even was omitted from the U-19 Sri Lankan squad after getting overweight. However, he managed to join Army in 2020 and it completely changed his fortune. With a strict regime and diet, he evolved further and his cricketing journey prospered further in that rank. He was picked in the 2020 Lanka Premier League on the back of his impressive performances at the 2020 Army Commander's Cup. In the second season of the tournament, he became the highest wicket-taker.

On the back of his impressive display, he earned a national team call-up in 2021 making his debut against South Africa in 2021 in One Day International (ODI). He took 4 wickets for 37 runs in his debut game and Sri Lanka eventually won the series 2–1. He, later, made his T20I debut in the same succession. He earned a call-up in test squad in 2022 and made his debut against Australia.

On the back of his meteoric rise, Chennai Super Kings signed him in 2022 for Rs 70 lakhs. He had a good debut season for the Chennai-based franchise picking up 12 wickets in 9 innings at an average of 21.8 and an economy rate of 7.46.