Rangana Herath participated in two Test tours of India, during which he played a total of five matches. Of these, two Tests resulted in draws, while Sri Lanka faced innings defeats in the remaining three.

Since September 1982, Sri Lanka has contested 22 Tests in India, recording 13 losses and the remainder as draws. Despite the similarities in pitch conditions between the two countries, the 1996 World Cup champions have found it challenging to remain competitive on Indian soil, a situation that is difficult to rationalize.

What Herath could not accomplish as a player for his national team, he successfully achieved with New Zealand in October and November. Under the leadership of new captain Tom Latham, the New Zealand team astonished the cricketing community by defeating India 3-0 on their home ground. This marked India’s first series defeat at home in 12 years and the first instance of being swept in a home series consisting of more than two Tests.

Herath served as New Zealand’s spin consultant during that tour, as well as on the previous tour of Sri Lanka, where the Kiwis lost 0-2. He oversaw an impressive campaign characterized by outstanding performances from left-arm spinners Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel in Pune and Mumbai, respectively. This success particularly pleased the 46-year-old, who concluded his Test career in November 2018 after participating in 93 matches and taking 433 wickets. Herath is recognized as the only left-arm spinner to have claimed over 400 Test wickets, having truly emerged as a leading player only after the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan in July 2010, who holds the record with 800 Test wickets.

Herath reflects on the achievement, stating, “That’s a very big achievement.” He relocated to Australia with his family approximately two and a half years ago. “I played many years for Sri Lanka, and we never won a Test match in India. Winning a series 3-0 on their soil is very special. In every game, they gave their 100%, which is expected. However, the victory was a result of playing proper and smart cricket.”

He reflects on the initial conversations in the dressing room, stating, “I can vividly recall that the early discussions focused on the difficulties of competing in India. The players did not emphasize winning; rather, they concentrated on the obstacles and how to overcome them. Those were the topics of conversation at the outset. However, I am aware that they believed if they could secure a single victory in India, it would be a significant accomplishment. That was their primary mindset.”

New Zealand found themselves in an advantageous position when India opted to bat first in Bengaluru during the opening Test, despite the gloomy weather and a pitch that had been damp for four days. “What stands out about the New Zealand team is their serious approach to both batting and bowling; they place great importance on accountability. The triumph in the first Test was crucial, especially since India was dismissed for just 46 runs in Bangalore. Following that, the prevailing thought was, ‘If we can win one match, why not another?’ This was their mentality. They did not discuss a 3-0 series victory; instead, they focused on taking it one match at a time, breaking it down into manageable segments—identifying what was necessary to succeed in each specific moment. This approach serves as an excellent lesson for any team, regardless of the opponent or location. Adhering to the fundamentals and winning the smaller battles will ultimately lead to success in the larger context.”

Herath acknowledges that despite their defeat to his home nation, the recent tour of Sri Lanka significantly benefited the New Zealand team prior to their journey to India. “The key lies in discussions,” Herath states when asked about the differences in New Zealand's bowling strategy between the two countries. “I never insisted on specific actions; rather, it revolves around how we can improve. Although the outcomes in Sri Lanka were not favorable, they gained insights into the appropriate lengths and paces required for bowling on subcontinental pitches. Competing against Sri Lanka was an excellent learning opportunity. While the surfaces are not identical, there are numerous similarities between the pitches in India and Sri Lanka, which proved advantageous for the spinners.

“Moreover, the Sri Lankan batsmen performed exceptionally well,” he adds with a smile. “(Dinesh) Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo (Mathews), among others, displayed remarkable batting throughout that series.”

The conversation then shifts to the recently retired R Ashwin, and Herath's admiration for him is palpable. “I would like to extend my congratulations to him for an outstanding career,” he remarks. “Achieving over 500 Test wickets is a remarkable feat; he also accumulated a significant number of runs, including six centuries. He has single-handedly secured numerous victories for India. I wish him all the best in his future pursuits. Every athlete understands when it is time to make the decision to retire. I am confident that Ashwin has thoroughly evaluated all factors before reaching that conclusion. Retirement is a deeply personal choice. I recognize his intelligence; he is an exceptionally astute bowler.”

‘Jadeja very different as a left-arm spinner’: Herath

With Ashwin's retirement, the onus will increasingly fall on Ravindra Jadeja to rise to the occasion. Jadeja has established himself as a reliable performer, having taken 319 wickets in 78 Tests at an impressive average of 24.05. Despite both being left-arm spinners, there exists a significant distinction between Herath and Jadeja. Herath emphasizes this difference, stating, “It's different. I mean, completely different setups of skills between us. I relied on my loop and drift, whereas Jaddu operates at a faster pace and employs a back-of-length delivery. This distinct skill set, combined with his profound understanding of the game, allows him to apply pressure on batters. He creates opportunities and secures wickets effectively. On subcontinental pitches, batting against his pace can be particularly challenging, as accurate bowling makes it difficult for batsmen. In Australia, while he may not be as impactful, he still manages to maintain his line and length. Success in such conditions hinges on the ability to adapt and interpret the pitch while bowling.”

When not engaged in assignments—most likely accompanying the New Zealand team to Pakistan and the UAE for the upcoming Champions Trophy—Herath dedicates his time to one-on-one coaching. He expresses admiration for the number of 'smart' spinners in Australia, noting, “You don’t get a lot of help from the pitches here except for bounce, so you need to know how to defend with the fields and how to attack with the lines.” He then shifts his attention to Nathan Lyon, the outstanding off-spinner who is closely pursuing Ashwin with a tally of 533 wickets from 132 Tests.

He is a traditional off-spinner. I frequently watched videos of him because he does not exhibit much variation; instead, he predominantly depends on precision. He has confidence in himself and believes in his abilities, as noted by Herath. "He is someone who does not bowl with significant flight; rather, he typically bowls at around 90 to 92 kilometers per hour. However, being a tall individual, he consistently relies on his length and bounce. Achieving over 500 Test wickets, particularly as a spinner in Australia, is an impressive accomplishment. He deserves recognition for his performance over the years. Numerous young cricketers aspire to emulate his success."

Following a brief period of stagnation, Sri Lankan cricket appears to have regained its form across all formats, with the national team still contending for a spot in the World Test Championship final. "I am thrilled that the players are giving their utmost effort," Herath expresses. "My focus is on their decision-making, particularly whether they are making those decisions proactively, which they are currently doing. It is all about the fine margins. Sri Lanka is performing well, and once confidence is established, it tends to remain, akin to muscle memory. I am confident they will maintain this momentum into the upcoming series at home against Australia."

It is no accident that Sri Lanka's fortunes have improved since the arrival of former captain Sanath Jayasuriya, who initially joined as interim coach and later took on the role of full-time coach earlier this year. "Sanath is a person who strives to win every match," Herath remarks about his former teammate. "He is an exceptionally dedicated individual. He understands the type of communication that resonates with Sri Lankan players. Having a local coach in that environment is beneficial, and he is doing an excellent job."

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