As Sri Lanka triumphed over the West Indies, clinching their first-ever series win against the visitors at Dambulla on Thursday, it was Kusal Mendis’ masterful performance that stole the show.
On a tricky wicket with 163 to chase, Mendis’ innings shone like a lighthouse in a storm. We’ve often seen Mendis dazzle with flashy 20s and 30s, only to throw his wicket away, but this time, he was a man on a mission. He wasn’t going to leave the job for anyone else—he stayed until the job was done, finishing what he started.
The transformation in Mendis since his exclusion from the Lord’s Test in August has been nothing short of remarkable. It seems the wake-up call that no one is indispensable has lit a fire in him, and he’s been playing with purpose, giving fans plenty to cheer about.
From his crucial knock at The Oval, where Sri Lanka chased down a target to win their first Test in England in a decade, to his hundred against New Zealand that sealed another victory, and now, this sublime performance against the West Indies—Mendis has been on a roll.
Throughout this series, Mendis has been in imperious form. His partnership with Pathum Nissanka during the T20s was a joy to watch, especially as they capitalized on the powerplay overs. But it’s not just his batting that’s caught the eye. Mendis has matured, becoming an invaluable presence on the field.
His sharp cricketing brain is constantly at work—offering captain Charith Asalanka advice on reviews, adjusting the field, and talking to the bowlers, keeping them on their toes and always providing a backup plan under pressure. It’s been a stunning transformation. From once being the scapegoat of the team, Mendis has now become a fan favourite, his contributions indispensable.
Much of this change can be attributed to the arrival of Sanath Jayasuriya. The former captain has worked wonders, bringing out the best in Mendis. For years, Mendis was plagued by reckless batting and off-field antics, leading to suspensions and frustrations. But now, it feels like he’s turned a corner, ready to achieve greatness.
Jayasuriya’s approach has proven doubters wrong. Many believed a local coach couldn’t cut through the myriad obstacles facing Sri Lankan cricket. But in his own unique way, Jayasuriya has turned things around. He’s been hands-on, steering the ship with a clear vision. Gone are the days of optional training. Under Jayasuriya, the team is built on four pillars—commitment, fielding excellence, smarter running between the wickets, and playing with heart and passion.
Short-term, these changes are already bearing fruit. But what about the long term? There’s plenty to look forward to. One of the areas Jayasuriya has focused on is batting collapses—too many have occurred in recent memory, but the team seems to be addressing that.
Power hitting is another area in development. Sri Lanka’s lineup is filled with stroke-makers, but true power hitters are rare. Bhanuka Rajapaksa fits the mold, but his fitness and fielding have been causes for concern. Jayasuriya is working on these issues, and time will tell if Rajapaksa, like Mendis, can rise to his full potential.
On the bowling front, accuracy has been a key focus. In white-ball cricket, spinners have struggled with their lengths, while the quicks have sent down too many wides. Give it another six months, and the improvements will surely become evident. Spot bowling is the buzz word when players train on their own.
Fielding has also improved dramatically. Last year’s World Cup saw the team’s fielding reach rock bottom, with a record number of dropped catches. But now, thanks to fielding coach Upul Chandana, creative drills have brought a fresh energy, and the competition among players is fierce.
It’s been a tremendous three months under Jayasuriya’s leadership. It began with the series win over India in July, ending a 27-year drought. Then came the historic Test win in England after a decade, followed by the New Zealand series victory after ten years. These triumphs have put Sri Lanka in with a real shot at making the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June. And now, with this week’s series win over the West Indies, the momentum continues to build.
This was a classic come-from-behind victory, with meticulous planning and, most importantly, flawless execution. Sri Lanka pulled off a comprehensive nine-wicket win. The team’s rankings have improved across all three formats, and after lingering at the bottom half of the tables for far too long, it’s finally time to make that upward climb.
