Ajantha Mendis set to return from 9-month injury layoff

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka spinner bowler Ajantha Mendis will soon return from a nine-month layoff because of a back injury and is hoping to have full use of his five variations for the World Twenty20 later this month.

Mendis said Tuesday that he doesn't believe India's batsmen, in particular, have mastered his mystery bowling. Thirty-four of his 62 test wickets have come against the Indians, and they were also the responsible for 28 of his 96 one-day international wickets. He is yet to play a Twenty20 international against India.

Mendis was picked in Sri Lanka's squad for the Twenty20 as part of a specialist spin attack, along with Rangana Herath and uncapped teenager Akila Dananjaya.

Hosts Sri Lanka plays its first match in the tournament against Zimbabwe on Sept. 18.