Sri Lanka’s batting sensation Kamindu Mendis has once again etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first player to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award twice in a calendar year. Mendis’ exceptional performances in September, where he amassed 451 runs in four Tests at an astonishing average of 90.20, earned him the prestigious accolade.
Mendis’ month-long brilliance began at The Oval in England, where he played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s consolation victory. His contributions continued in the subsequent series against New Zealand back home, where he played a key role in Sri Lanka’s series triumph. Notably, Mendis scored two centuries during this period, further cementing his status as a rising star in the cricketing world.
The ICC’s statement highlighted Mendis’ remarkable achievements, stating that he “beat out tough competition from Sri Lanka teammate Prabath Jayasuriya and Australia’s Travis Head to claim the monthly award.” Mendis’ consistent performances and ability to deliver under pressure have earned him widespread recognition and admiration.
Mendis expressed his delight at winning the award for the second time this year, acknowledging the hard work and dedication that have fueled his success. “I am honored to be once again chosen as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month,” he said. “This accolade brings me immense happiness and pride, as I believe all the hard work that was put into becoming the player that I am today is starting to pay off and being recognized consistently in the global stage.”
Mendis’ hunger for success is evident in his unwavering determination to achieve even greater heights. “This recognition gives me further strength to continue my good work on the cricketing field and aspire for bigger achievements, thus helping my team win games and bring glory to our country and happiness to our fans,” he added.
During September, Mendis became the first men’s player in history to pass fifty in each of the first eight matches of his Test career. His exceptional run-scoring spree continued as he became the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs, matching the legendary Don Bradman’s feat of achieving the milestone in just 13 innings.
Mendis’ most impressive performance of the month came in the second Test against New Zealand, where he scored a dominant 182* in Sri Lanka’s mammoth first-innings total of 602/5 declared. His knock played a crucial role in setting up a convincing victory for his team. However, his 114 in the first innings of the first Test of the same series was arguably even more impressive.
With Sri Lanka in trouble at 88/3, Mendis’ arrival at the crease proved pivotal. His resilient innings, coupled with Angelo Mathews’ contribution, helped Sri Lanka recover and eventually win the match by a narrow margin of 63 runs.
In eight Tests so far, Mendis has amassed an astonishing 1,004 runs at an exceptional average of 91.27. His tally includes five centuries and four fifties in just 13 innings, with his highest score being 182*. Mendis’ consistent performances have not only earned him individual accolades but have also played a significant role in Sri Lanka’s recent successes.
