I dont know why everyone is boasting and whooping and hopping about Ajantha Mendis so much ? Okay, he did a great job in the final polishing Indian batsmen, they just couldnt pick him on that night. Even Indian captain acknowledge the talent of the man in keeping up line-and-length and with his subtle changes. The difficulty in picking up his deliveries is really the troubling factor as far as batsmen are concerned. But, hey he is no way another Muralidharan or Warne or Kumble or even Saqlain Mustaq for that matter. He is only Ajantha Mendis.
For those who boast and praise him “over the moon” must have heard about a man called Narendra Hirwani ? Yup, Hirwani, the same man who bamboozled Windies batsmen in his first test match and took 16 wickets to bag an easy Indian victory, but was unable to repeat his magic as the opposition picked his varieties and mysteries. To succeed in international cricket, much is needed than sheer talent – a lot of hardwork is what is needed to the cricketers to keep themselves hinged on to that acme stage of the show.
Muralidharan, Warne, and Kumble are where today because of their unrelenting mind which when mixed with their obvious, prodiguous talent painted the canvas in gold. Ajantha Mendis is clearly talented and he crossed the first step for sure – a grand entry into the arena. Now, he has to keep a tight control over his emotions and shape his mind to cope with the pressures and expectations of international circuit.
His true test comes when he will be up against much more competent batsmen, batsmen of the calibre of Pontings and Tendulkars. I am not belittling his effort in Asia Cup Final, but one need to see how he will cope when his mystery balls are all “open” and he no longer posses any hat with rabbit in it. Sure, Shane Warne is still famous for his BALL OF THE CENTURY, but he just didnt stop there. There were many other deliveries from that champion bowler throughout his career. Same is the story with Murali and Kumble, both still going strong.
I really hope this youngman from island country of beaches and spin has a big canvas to paint his career in. He surely has the talent and he is young and most importantly, he has the oppurtunity to talk with and to observe and to absorb from the greatest spinner of all time. Things shuld be rosy for Srilankan cricket if Ajantha Mendis’ career is gona be long.
