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Kusal Mendis is a right-hand batsman and wicketkeeper from Sri Lanka. Mendis captained Sri Lanka's under-19 team in the Youth World Cup and made his Test debut at the age of 20 after playing only 16 first-class innings. He scored his maiden Test century against Australia at Pallekele, which is considered one of the greatest Sri Lankan innings.
Kusal developed an interest in cricket through his father who would take him to watch cricket matches at local grounds. His natural talent caught the eye of coaches who were impressed by his hard-hitting ability and composure at such a young age.
He attended Prince of Wales College Moratuwa where he excelled both academically and athletically. In 2013 he won the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award for his performances with the Prince of Wales College team.
Mendis had impressive performances in the Moin-ud-Dowlah three-day tournament in Hyderabad, which helped him secure a spot in the national team. He made his international debut in the second match of the series against West Indies in October 2015.
Mendis scored his maiden Test century, 176 runs against Australia at Pallekele, which is considered one of the greatest Sri Lankan innings. He played a crucial innings to rescue Sri Lanka and help them win the match. Mendis won the Man of the Series award for his impressive performances during a tri-series involving Zimbabwe and West Indies.
Kusal Mendis' international career has been marked by some stellar performances that have seen him become an integral part of Sri Lanka's batting lineup across all formats. Since his debut test century against Australia, he has gone on to score four more centuries including a stunning 194 against Bangladesh at home.
Mendis also has two ODI centuries to his name with his first coming against Bangladesh in March 2017. He was named Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 89 runs against India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Mendis had an impressive start to 2022 when he lifted the ban suspension earlier imposed by Sri Lanka Cricket after breaching their bio-secure bubble during England tour in 2021. In his first match back, he scored a match-winning half-century against Australia in February 2022 and won the Player of the Match award.
In July 2022, he scored 85 runs in the second Test against Australia. Mendis played as an opener in the Asia Cup and had match-winning partnerships against Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and India.
Kusal Mendis has been a standout player in several major tournaments throughout his career. He played a significant role in Sri Lanka's performance in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, scoring match-winning 89 runs against India in the group stage and helping his team reach the semi-finals.
In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Mendis was named in Sri Lanka's squad but didn't have as much of an impact as he would have liked. He contributed just 27 runs across three innings, with a top score of 17. However, he bounced back with a second ODI century against the West Indies in February 2020, scoring an unbeaten 119 off just 116 balls.
Mendis has also shone in T20I matches. He played a vital role for Sri Lanka in their series against Bangladesh in April 2017, scoring match-winning knocks of 53 and 70. In recognition of his performances, he was awarded Man of the Match awards in both games.
Kusal Mendis is primarily a top-order batsman known for his explosive batting style. He has a compact technique and displays excellent shot-making abilities. His natural impulse is to attack bowlers from ball one, making him an entertaining player to watch.
Mendis captained Sri Lanka's under-19 team during the 2014 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he gained valuable leadership experience that helped him become a senior member of the national team. Mendis has had associations with several brands like MRF Tyres, Dialog Axiata, Red Bull, etc. Recently, Kusal Mendis was suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket for breaching the team's bio-secure bubble during their tour of England in 2021 but was back playing representing Galle Gladiators later before being hospitalized due to injury during the second Test against Bangladesh at home earlier this year.
Despite being young, he shows maturity in his batting, which is reflective of his leadership qualities. The selectors have invested heavily in him due to his abilities, and he is seen as a player who can help Sri Lanka return to its golden era.
Mendis's extraordinary records and achievements stand out in cricket history. He was named the One Day International (ODI) batsman of the year for the 2016-17 season. In addition, he scored a stunning 194 runs in a Test match against Bangladesh at home.
Furthermore, Mendis played a significant role in Sri Lanka's performance in the 2017 Champions Trophy. He scored match-winning knocks in T20Is against Bangladesh and won the Man of the Match awards.
Kusal Mendis has received several major awards and accolades throughout his career. He was adjudged the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award in 2013 for his performances with the Prince of Wales College team.
In addition, Mendis captained Sri Lanka's squad for the 2014 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. He was also named the One Day International (ODI) batsman of the year for the 2016-17 season. Moreover, he was awarded Man of the Series by contributing with bat & ball during the Tri-Nation series held in Zimbabwe between West Indies, Sri Lanka & Zimbabwe.
Kusal Mendis has established himself as the most promising young batsman in the world. He has a compact technique, aggressive impulse, and iron resolve, which make him a consistent performer across all formats of the game. His journey so far has been nothing short of remarkable, and we can expect many more great things from him in the future.
FAQs
What is Kusal Mendis doing currently?
Currently, Kusal Mendis is playing Domestic T20 league matches representing the Galle Gladiators team in the LPL tournament held at Srilanka.
What is Kusal Mendis' highest score in ODI?
Kusal Mendis' highest score in ODI is 119.
How old is Kusal Mendis now?
Kusal Mendis was born on February 2, 1995. Hence, he is currently 28 years old.
How many centuries has Kusal Mendis made in his international career?
Kusal Mendis has made five centuries in his international career.
What is Kusal Mendis' net worth?
The net worth of Kusal Mendis is approximately $2 million.
