Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis finally answered his coach’s call, converting a strong start into a brilliant century in a crucial ODI.
The Enigma of Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis has long been seen as a player with immense talent. Blessed with a wide array of strokes, good technique, and a calm demeanor, many have wondered why he hasn’t yet become a global cricketing superstar.
Despite his obvious gifts, his career statistics tell a story of unfulfilled potential. He averages a modest 34.84 in ODIs and 36.87 in Tests, with a tendency to get out after making a promising start rather than converting them into big scores.
Coach’s Challenge Issued
Sri Lanka’s batting coach, Thilina Kandamby, recently voiced his frustration over Mendis’s habit of throwing away good starts. This sentiment grew stronger after Mendis hit a rapid half-century in the second ODI against Bangladesh, only to get out shortly after.
“He has to understand that now, and he needs to convert those starts into hundreds,” Kandamby stated, emphasizing the impact a century from Mendis could have. “If he scores a hundred, we win 90 to 95% of our games. He knows that too.”
Turning a Corner? Mendis’s Recent Form
Interestingly, Mendis has been in superb form in ODIs since last October, amassing 676 runs in just 11 innings. This impressive run boasts an average of 75.11 and a striking rate of 106.96, showcasing his destructive capability.
The coach had specifically spoken to Mendis about the importance of strike rotation and prolonging his innings, especially when in such good touch. “When you are in such good form, it’s a crime to throw away your wicket,” Kandamby had added.
The Decisive Hundred
In the high-stakes third ODI, a series decider, Mendis delivered precisely what his coach had asked for. He crafted a magnificent 124 runs off 114 balls, playing a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s total of 285 for 7.
His innings was a display of calculated aggression. He took a patient 58 balls to reach his half-century, then accelerated beautifully, reaching his next fifty in just 37 deliveries. The knock was vintage Mendis, featuring elegant drives, powerful cuts, swivel pulls, and flat sweeps, adorned with 18 boundaries.
Impact and Aftermath
Mendis’s departure, however, triggered a collapse. While he shared a vital 124-run partnership with Charith Asalanka, the team struggled after he was dismissed.
A total that once seemed destined to cross 300 ultimately settled at 285/7, as Sri Lanka could only manage 31 runs in the final 26 balls on what was considered a batting-friendly pitch.
- Kusal Mendis converted a start into a century after direct advice from his coach.
- He scored 124 runs off 114 balls in a decisive ODI.
- Despite recent good form, Mendis has struggled with converting starts into big scores throughout his career.
This century could be a turning point for Mendis, potentially marking the beginning of a more consistent and impactful phase in his international career.
