Kusal Mendis Achieves 100 T20I Caps, Joins Elite Group

Star Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis has reached a significant milestone in his cricket career by becoming only the second player from Sri Lanka to achieve 100 appearances in the T20 International (T20I) format. This milestone was celebrated during the third and final T20I match against England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Mendis, who made his T20I debut in 2016, follows his skipper, Dasun Shanaka, who currently leads the list with 124 matches. This achievement underscores Mendis’s consistency and importance to the Sri Lankan team over the years.

In terms of statistics, Mendis has accumulated 2,399 runs in the T20I format, maintaining an average of 25.52 with a strike rate of 131.52. Notably, he is just behind fellow Sri Lankan batter Pathum Nissanka, who has scored 2,414 runs, while Kusal Perera remains the only other Sri Lankan player to surpass 2,000 T20I runs with a total of 2,312 runs.

Impressive Contributions and Records

Mendis has demonstrated his skill not only as a batsman but also as a wicketkeeper. He has recorded 49 T20I dismissals, the highest by any Sri Lankan keeper in T20Is. His dismissals include 32 catches and 17 stumpings. The legendary Kumar Sangakkara is the only other Sri Lankan wicketkeeper with over 25 dismissals in this format, having achieved 45 dismissals during his illustrious career.

Mendis’s ability to score runs consistently is highlighted by his record of 17 fifties, with his top score being 86. As he continues to build on this impressive career, Mendis’s contributions are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the future of Sri Lankan cricket.

As the cricketing world acknowledges this achievement, Mendis’s journey serves as an inspiration for young players in Sri Lanka and beyond, demonstrating the potential for greatness through dedication and hard work.