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| Coach John Buchanan at the selection trials of Kolkata Knight Riders at the Goregaon Sports Club yesterday. PIC/VISHAL KELKAR |
A lot of coaches as well as players around the world are trying to find ways to understand Mendis' different deliveries. Even after three Tests and a few ODIs, the Indians are struggling and there's no doubt that being one of the top brains in the game, former Australia coach John Buchanan, would also be looking at him closely.
Research and planning has always been an integral part of Buchanan's job. He always believed that if you put in enough hours, the results would always be on your side. And Buchanan's stint with the Australian team, during which they won two World Cups (1999, 2003), is enough evidence of his ability.
No answers
But even Buchanan has still not worked the Lankan mystery spinner.
"I'm just as clueless as the batsmen are. I still don't know what he is doing but whatever it is, it is quite devastating," said Buchanan, coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders.
"He reminds me of John Gleeson, although Mendis is much stronger and taller and bowls with more pace," Buchanan added.
In the city to look at the young talent for the Knight Riders, the Aussie also felt that with time, batsmen will be able to read him better.
"He is a bit of a novelty right now and hence batsmen are struggling against him. But in some time, there may be a case of people reading him well. We will have to wait and see," Buchanan said.
But what Buchanan can't wait for is the next Indian Premier League season. With Mendis in his side, Buchanan could well hope for some change in fortunes after the Knight Riders' mid-table finish last year.
"Mendis will be successful in all forms of the game. I saw him at nets last season in the brief time he was with us. He is an amazing bowler. I hadn't seen anything like that before," Buchanan said.
