I am proud to bowl alongside Murali: Mendis

Mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis said he feels proud to bowl alongside Muttiah Muralitharan and asserted that he is following the legacy of the legendary off-spinner.

''It is the legacy of Muttiah Muralitharan. We all feel proud that the highest wicket taker in Tests and ODI's is a Sri Lankan.

Naturally, the young generation would try to follow him. So did I,'' Mendis told espnstar.com in an exclusive interview.

The 24-year-old Mendis further emphasised that he is eager to bowl against the the best in the buisness at the Champions Trophy on pace friendly South African piches.

''We are playing well as a group at this moment. I am looking forward to bowl against top-class batsmen in the Champions Trophy,'' he said.

''We know that the wicket would be different in South Africa. I think, all of our bowlers would like to take that challenge.

Personally I am prepared to bowl on any surface,'' he added.

The unorthodox spinner also revealed that he enjoys bowling against Indian batsmen as they are generally knwon as good players of spin bowling.

Ironically, Mendis' best bowling performance in a one-day international came against India in the final of the 2008 Asia Cup, where he took 6 wickets for 13 runs in just his eighth match. ''Everybody is asking me the same question. Maybe, they do remember my six wickets against them in the Asia cup final. I enjoy bowling to the Indian batsmen,'' he noted.

Mendis, who also plays for Indian Premier League (IPL) frenchise Kolkata Knight Riders, revealed that to enhance his wicket taking ability he is trying to come up with a new delivery after the 'carom' ball although he declined to make any comment on that.

''I do not want to throw any light on it because I am trying hard to control it. You will see it in some time,'' he said.

-- (UNI) -- 14SPD26.xml

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