‘World Class’ Hasaranga And Theekshana Will Have An Impact Very Soon: RR Spin Coach

Rajasthan Royals’ spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule backed the Sri Lankan spin twins Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga to hit the ground running pretty soon but acknowledged that the pair were not up to the mark on a spin-friendly Guwahati surface against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 26 (Wednesday).

While KKR spinners returned combined figures of 4/40 in the 8 overs they bowled on a surface that gripped, the Sri Lankan duo were ineffective, conceding 1/66 off the 7 overs they bowled. Hasaranga, in particular, got taken apart by the KKR batters as he went for 34 runs in the 3 overs he bowled on the night. 

“We have spinners in Hasaranga and Theekshana who are obviously world class international players. At times I thought they were short [today] whereas if they had just owned the lengths a bit longer, there was definitely a lot of purchase for the spinners,” Bahutule said at the post-match press conference.

“But again I just feel that they just got into the IPL championship, so now I am sure that in the coming games they will have an impact. 

“I just trust all the spinners, all the bowlers in the team. I just want to say that it's again a young side, a very promising side batting wise, bowling wise. They are looking forward to every game and I am sure they will come good in the coming matches.”

Bahutule acknowledged, however, that it was with the bat that RR ended up losing the game. 170-180 seemed par on a Guwahati surface that seemed slightly tricky, but RR could only manage 151/9, with no batter managing to pass fifty. 

In response, KKR got to the target with 15 balls to spare, losing just two wickets, as Quinton de Kock smashed an unbeaten 97.

“A slightly sticky track to start off with, but to be honest we could have added about 15-20 runs more to the total and that would have put pressure on KKR,” Bahutule said.

“But I think overall, looking at the way we have been playing, we are a young side with a young captain. So I think keeping the wicket aside, it's the question of just us getting into performance mode, which I feel will come through [soon].”

It’s been a rough start to IPL 2025 for stand-in skipper Riyan Parag, who is the youngest RR captain in history but also the first RR captain to lose each of his first two games as skipper.

But Bahutule lavished praise on the youngster and claimed that he is destined to become an all-format player.

“Talking about Riyan, he’s just gotten better and better with every opportunity he’s got. When you’re playing for a team like Assam, sometimes you won’t get the recognition even though the performances are there. But now with his performances and his persistence, and the way he’s operated in the last 2-3 years with consistent performances at the domestic level, he’s made it into the Indian national side.

“I’m sure in the coming time he’ll be a good all-rounder. The way he bowled today [was fantastic]. His batting has gotten better and better as well. I personally feel he’s an all-format player in the coming years.”