Kusal Mendis is a Future Star for Sri Lanka Cricket

Kusal Mendis was the most discussed cricketer for Sri Lanka in the recent past. Many cricket fans in Sri Lanka argue with the Cricket board about his performances. He was from the Moratuwa area in Sri Lanka. Prince of Wales College was the school for Mendis and for his cricketing career. Chaminda Vaas and Lahiru Thirimanna were the other famous cricketers from the Moratuwa area. Kusal has played 44 test matches so far and scored 2995 runs. This include 7 test centuries. He has scored 2000+ ODI runs with 2 centuries. Kusal was lucky to qualify for the national team without playing first-class cricket. He was the captain for Sri Lanka in under 19 world cup in 2014.

Kusal was born in 1995 and represented the national team in 2015 when he was in 20 years. His first test series against west indies and he was showing his talent to the world in a swinging condition. Then he was going to the New Zealand and failed to make big knocks. He was showing his magic skills in 2016 home series against Australia. He played 176 runs against Australia in the first test and which helped Sri Lanka to win the game. That series was a whitewash for them and It was the first winning series for Sri Lanka against Australia. Rangana Herath was the man who blasted the Aussies batsmen and which finally make them 0-3 lost in Asia. After the series, most of the Sri Lankan fans believed Mendis will be the key batsman for them in the future.

2017 champions trophy was another tournament where Mendis was highlighted. Sri Lanka’s magic win against India in champions trophy was surprised by the millions of Indians and it was hurt them hard. Mendis scored 89 runs in that match and which contribute their team to chase mammoth 322 run chase in English conditions. He played against Bumrah, Ashwin, and Jadeja really well and that inning was destroyed their trust in bowling. Everybody believed India will win the game and finally, all were shocked. Then the Indian cricket team came to Sri Lanka for full series. Sri Lanka lost the test series for 3-0. But Mendis played a superb inning in the second test and which was most of the fans were discussed. I also surprised his inning against a powerful Indian bowling attack. He played sweep shot very easily against Ashwin and Jadeja.

2018 was another special year for Mendis and he made 1000 runs in the calendar year. In the early period of 2018, he played his highest score of 194 for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh. Mendis’s contribution was huge to win the series. That year was unbelievable for him. But he was failed in ODI cricket.

Sri Lanka toured New Zealand in the early period of 2019. It was a series that Mendis was also highlighted. Both Mendis and Mathews bat the whole day together and helped Sri Lanka to save the test match. But they lost the next game and further lost the series. Mendis scored 143 runs and made a partnership of unbeaten 287.

2019 ICC cricket world cup also an unsuccessful series for him. He was failed to make a good contribution for the team and which make Sri Lanka to eliminate from the first round of the series. After the world cup, he worked hard and succeeded in the next series. Last ODI series against West Indies was another good series for him. He scored a mammoth 119 runs and which helped Sri Lanka to save the series and finally to win the series.

However, I can say he is a future star for Sri Lanka cricket. Mendis doesn’t have consecutive in their career. That is the thing he should improve. He is a good batsman for no 4 positions in a test match. Selectors used him different positions in t20 cricket. But he was failed in that format and he also needs to improve it.

2023 World Cup will be his next goal and he will work hard to play that tournament. He is 25 years old and further he can face 3 more world cups for his country. Sri Lankan selectors should protect him to play more cricket.