It's been an indifferent World Cup so far for Maheesh Theekshana ©Getty
As a corollary from the old adage that fast bowlers hunt in pairs, the success of leading spinners can also be significantly influenced by those partnering them. Out of the 534 wickets taken by Muttiah Muralitharan, the leading wicket-taker in ODIs, 467 came in matches featuring Sanath Jayasuriya. The left-armer's 323 scalps make him the fourth highest wicket-taker among spinners, and he bagged 235 of his wickets in matches featuring Muralitharan.
The same goes with Saqlain Mushtaq, who is eighth among the leading spin wicket-takers with 288. Saqlain, who bowled in 165 innings, finished his career with an average of 21.78 and a strike rate of 30.4. Trimming it to matches in which Mushtaq Ahmed featured at the other end, Saqlain's numbers are even better - an average of 18 with a strike rate of 26.3.
There are several other examples. Harbhajan Singh's average and strike rate is marginally better when he has played alongside Anil Kumble. Ravindra Jadeja has better numbers when R Ashwin has bowled from the other end. Kuldeep Yadav averages 23.47 and has a strike rate of 28 when Yuzvendra Chahal is present, compared to his overall average of 25.65 and strike rate of 28.
Which brings us to Maheesh Theekshana. Before the game
