Decoding Mendis: Concentrate on his wrist: Vishy

New Delhi:

Unlocking the Ajantha Mendis code on Sri Lankan pitches will not be difficult for Indian batsmen if they concentrate on his wrist movement, feels Test great Gundappa Rangnath Viswanath.

Having excelled against Australian John Gleeson -- another mystery spinner who flummoxed batsmen with his odd grip -- in his 1969-70 debut series where he came up with a second innings century in his maiden appearance, Viswanath said taking on Mendis in the upcoming Test series won't be difficult once the Indian batsmen carefully observe his wrist movement.

"You've got to pick him (Mendis) up at the time of delivery. Our batsmen need to observe Mendis's wrist and finger movements at the time of delivery...then he'll become easier to negotiate," the 59-year-old said on the sidelines of a Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) function last night.

Recollecting his famous debut against the Australians in the November, 1969 Kanpur Test where he scored a first innings duck before coming up with an exquisite 137 in the second innings, Viswanath said, "I had heard a lot of things about (John) Gleeson...that he's very tough and difficult to play against before going in to bat in my first Test. But in the first innings, I didn't get to face him as I I got out to (Alan) Connolly.