Currently, in the international scene of cricketing, there comes the talented and energetic young blood, Kamindu Mendis from Sri Lanka. The achievement for the rising star has bagged him one of the ICC Emerging Cricketers of the Year in 2024. Now at the tender age of 26, such consistency and adapting capabilities in batting as well as bowling, including being able to hold the slot for Test matches, has gained the cricketer his current elite position, drawing all global attention to the game.
Stellar Year in 2024: Batting Brilliance
Kamindu Mendis had a stellar year in 2024, with a total of 1,458 runs in 38 innings across all formats. It was his exploits in Test cricket that really made him stand out. In just nine Test matches, Mendis scored 1,049 runs at an average of 74.92, which makes him the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket for the year. His total comprised five centuries and three half-centuries, which marked his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure.
He also put up a career-best performance against New Zealand and then scored a marvelous century in England, which ensured that he emerged as a player to be reckoned with in the longer version of the game.
Rise of Kamindu Mendis
Born in Galle, Sri Lanka, Kamindu Mendis first played for Sri Lanka in the T20 format in 2018, but it was in 2024 that he truly started to shine, especially in Test cricket. He made his ODI debut in 2019 and his Test debut in 2022, quickly becoming a regular player for Sri Lanka. He has played 10 Tests, 17 ODIs, and 23 T20s in his country so far, aggregating 1,110 runs in Tests, 344 runs in ODIs, and 381 runs in T20s. Apart from being a strong batting candidate, Mendis is a part-time bowler with the unique talent to bowl with spin with both hands, making his game different from others.
A Historic Feat: Equalling Don Bradman’s Record
Kamindu Mendis made history in 2024 by becoming the joint third player to score 1,000 Test runs in the fewest innings. Mendis reached this mark in just 13 innings, equalling the legendary Sir Don Bradman, who also took 13 innings to reach the 1,000-run mark in Test cricket. This remarkable achievement has seen Mendis on par with one of the greatest batsmen to ever play the game, only through his skill, temperament, and rapid ascension in international cricket.
Mendis Domestic Glory
Even before this international breakthrough, Kamindu Mendis built an excellent record in domestic cricket, which further cemented his potential. He played over 54 first-class matches, scoring 4,846 runs at an average of 63.76, which included 18 centuries and 23 half-centuries. Such a brilliant record in domestic cricket paved the way for his eventual success on the international level. Mendis was also impressive in the List A and T20 formats, scoring 2,247 runs in 87 List A matches and 1,910 runs in 93 T20 matches.
Kamindu Mendis: A Player for the Future
Having the ability to play all three formats and with their ability to bat and bowl, Kamindu Mendis is possibly one of the most interesting young cricket players from world cricket. His success in 2024 places him among Sri Lanka’s brightest cricketing talents, and his ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award is merely the start of a promising career.
As Kamindu Mendis continues to grow and polish his game, he is going to be an integral part of Sri Lanka’s cricketing future. With the kind of batting consistency that he has been showing, and his rare ability to bowl with both hands, he is bound to be a game-changer for his team. Bright future ahead, no doubt Kamindu Mendis is one of the players to watch in the coming years.
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