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Kusal Mendis:Biography

Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis is a cricketer who plays internationally for Sri Lanka and domestically for Sinhalese Sports Club in Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed batter and right-arm leg-break bowler who can play in various formats of the game. He holds the record for the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan in Test cricket, with 245 runs against Zimbabwe in 2017. He is known for his aggressive batting, bowling variations, and fielding prowess.

Early Life and Family

Kusal Mendis was born on February 2, 1995, in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. He grew up in a cricket-loving family and started playing the game at the age of nine. His father, Madagamagamage Shanaka, is a businessman and his mother, Kumari Shanaka, is a housewife. He has an older brother, Dilshan Shanaka, who is also a cricketer and plays for Negombo Cricket Club.

Personal Life

Kusal Mendis is unmarried and lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is fluent in Sinhala, English, and Tamil. He holds a bachelor's degree in sports management from Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. He is also a qualified cricket coach and has worked as a player-coach at Sinhalese Sports Club. He enjoys travelling, reading, and listening to music in his spare time.

Early Cricket Career

Kusal Mendis started playing cricket at Negombo Cricket Club, where he received guidance from former Sri Lankan cricketer Upul Chandana. He represented Sri Lanka at various age-group levels and was part of the squad that played in the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. He made his first-class debut for Sinhalese Sports Club against Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club in the 2011–12 Premier League Tournament and scored 54 runs on debut. He also made his List A debut for Sinhalese Sports Club against Colts Cricket Club in the same season and took one wicket.

International Debut

Kusal Mendis made his One Day International (ODI) debut for Sri Lanka against Ireland at Dublin on June 16, 2016. He scored 51 runs and took one catch as Sri Lanka won by 76 runs. He made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Sri Lanka against Pakistan at Colombo on August 1, 2015. He scored 17 runs and took one catch as Sri Lanka won by two wickets.

He was part of the Sri Lankan squad that played in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England. He scored 203 runs and took three catches in seven matches. He also scored his maiden ODI century against Bangladesh at Colombo on July 28, 2019.

ODI Career

Kusal Mendis has played 76 ODIs for Sri Lanka until October 2023, scoring 2,154 runs at an average of 30.77 and a strike rate of 86.54. He has hit one century and 16 half-centuries with a highest score of 119. He has also bowled - balls and taken - wickets. His best bowling figures are -/-. He has also taken 38 catches.

T20I Career

Kusal Mendis has played 26 T20Is for Sri Lanka until November 2022, scoring 484 runs at an average of 18.61 and a strike rate of 128.80. He has hit no centuries and three half-centuries with a highest score of 79. He has also bowled - balls and taken - wickets. His best bowling figures are -/-. He has also taken nine catches.

Test Career

Kusal Mendis has played 44 Test matches for Sri Lanka until April 2023, scoring 3,027 runs at an average of 36.90. He has hit six centuries and 15 half-centuries with a highest score of 245. He has also bowled 291 balls and taken one wicket at an average of 118.00. His best bowling figures are 1/10. He has also taken 62 catches.

Records and Achievements

  • He is the first person to score a double century in the fourth innings of a Test match, doing so with 200 not out against Zimbabwe at Harare on November 10, 2019.
  • He is the second-youngest player to score a Test century for Sri Lanka, doing so at the age of 21 years and 124 days against Australia at Pallekele on July 28, 2016.
  • He is the first person to score six consecutive fifty-plus scores in Tests for Sri Lanka, doing so between July 2016 and March 2017.

Awards and Honors

  • He was named the player of the match three times in Tests, for his innings of 176 against Australia at Pallekele on July 28, 2016, 194 against Bangladesh at Galle on March 7, 2017, and 200 not out against Zimbabwe at Harare on November 10, 2019.
  • He was named the player of the series in the Test series against Bangladesh in 2017 for scoring 271 runs and taking four catches in two matches.
  • He was named the ODI batter of the year for the 2016–17 season at Sri Lanka Cricket's annual awards.

Captaincy Stints

Kusal Mendis has not captained Sri Lanka in any international matches.

Controversies

Kusal Mendis was involved in a controversy in July 2020, when he was arrested for causing a fatal road accident while driving under the influence of alcohol. He was later released on bail and faced a disciplinary inquiry by Sri Lanka Cricket.

Conclusion

Kusal Mendis is a cricketer who plays internationally for Sri Lanka and domestically for Sinhalese Sports Club in Sri Lanka. He is a right-handed batter and right-arm leg-break bowler who can play in various formats of the game. He holds the record for the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan in Test cricket, with 245 runs against Zimbabwe in 2017. He is known for his aggressive batting, bowling variations, and fielding prowess. He has achieved several records and accolades for his performances and is one of the most valuable players for Sri Lanka.

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