Sri Lankan cricket has always been a tale of giants, towering figures who dominated the crease with a flourish, leaving bowlers at their mercy. From the scintillating days of Aravinda de Silva to the decade-long reign of Kumar Sangakkara, and even Angelo Mathews’ golden streak, we’ve witnessed greatness—but not without the early struggles that often shape champions.
Enter Kamindu Mendis, a batter for whom Test cricket feels less like a battle and more like a leisurely stroll through a sunlit park. He’s been shattering records as if they were mere toys in his hands, making history seem like a daily routine.
What Kamindu is doing in Sri Lankan cricket is unprecedented. He is making milestones that may take years, even decades, for others to reach. We are fortunate, indeed, to witness such a prodigy in full bloom.
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Yet, when the selectors nudged Kamindu up the order to bat at number five—away from his familiar spot at seven—there was a ripple of concern. The old cricketing proverb, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” echoed around the cricketing circles. But the selectors stuck to their guns, and Kamindu responded with back-to-back centuries, edging Sri Lanka ever closer to their first series win over New Zealand in 15 long years.
And then, on a gloomy Friday, Kamindu stood shoulder to shoulder with cricket’s immortal—Sir Don Bradman. In just 13 innings, Kamindu reached 1000 Test runs, matching the Don’s legendary pace. Along the way, he smashed Roy Dias’ long-standing Sri Lankan record and surpassed the Asian record held by India’s Vinod Kambli.
While Dias took 23 innings to cross the 1000-run threshold, Kambli achieved it in 14. Kamindu, meanwhile, did it in 13—placing himself among the elite, with only England’s Herbert Sutcliffe and West Indies’ Sir Everton Weekes reaching the milestone faster.
What makes Kamindu’s journey even more remarkable is that nine of those 13 innings were played at numbers seven or eight, often with the tail. Sometimes, he was left stranded without partners, as was the case at Lord’s just last month. Yet, despite these odds, he has been relentless in his pursuit of runs, unflinching in the face of adversity.
Kamindu’s rise isn’t just a flash in the pan; it’s the culmination of tireless work, adaptability, and grit. He began by conquering Bangladesh’s testing conditions, securing the Player of the Series award. Then, in England, he rose again, dominating at Old Trafford and Lord’s, earning yet another Player of the Series honour. Now in Galle, he stands poised to claim the same accolade once more.
Kamindu’s contributions aren’t just individual triumphs—they’re lifting the entire Sri Lankan team. He’s a key reason why we see currently sitting third on the ICC Test Championship points table. His heroics in Bangladesh turned the tide of that series, and in England, he stepped up when the batting order faltered. Even at The Oval, where Pathum Nissanka took the limelight, Kamindu played his part with a solid half-century.
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And now, in Galle, he’s scripted a century under pressure in the first Test and followed it up with a career-best in the second, virtually sealing the series in Sri Lanka’s favour.
Yet, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. After a brilliant debut against Australia, Kamindu was inexplicably sidelined for two years. While the national team floundered, Kamindu bided his time, left to carry drinks and watch from the sidelines. But perhaps, in hindsight, this was a blessing in disguise. That time on the bench forged a tougher Kamindu, and now that his moment has arrived, he’s not letting it slip through his fingers. He’s poised to break records and steer Sri Lanka to many more victories.
What sets Kamindu apart is his maturity. Angelo Mathews, who has watched his rise closely, can attest to this.
Kamindu’s hunger for runs and his unyielding desire to refine his craft are reminiscent of the legendary Kumar Sangakkara. After the first Test in Galle wrapped up, Kamindu didn’t head to the dressing room to celebrate—he went straight to the nets with batting coach Thilina Kandamby. Such dedication is the hallmark of a player destined for greatness.
Sri Lanka experienced a golden age in Test cricket from 2006 to 2014. They had a batting colossus in Sangakkara, whose tireless work ethic was the backbone of the team’s success. Kamindu is showing similar signs—a relentless drive to improve, to compete, to win.
When a player of Kamindu’s caliber leads by example, the entire team rallies, and consistency becomes the norm. The future looks bright for Sri Lankan cricket. It’s been a decade since Sri Lanka boasted a number-one ranked batter in the ICC standings, but with Kamindu Mendis, you can feel that change is on the horizon. The throne beckons, and Kamindu seems ready to claim it.
