Kusal Mendis

The name Mendis has always evoked images of change and brilliance in the Sri Lankan cricket set-up. Duleep Mendis was one of the great Sri Lankan players when they were emerging as a strong cricket nation. Ajantha Mendis revolutionized the carom ball variation for future spinners during his brilliance in 2008. When Kusal Mendis came onto the international scene in 2016, there were high hopes from him.

Sri Lanka’s school cricket system is robust. Clashes between school teams get more coverage on print and air than international games. Sometimes, crowds in school matches are much more than international games. Thus, in Sri Lanka, if someone makes it big in school cricket, he is destined for greater things on the international arena. Kusal Mendis had acquired that reputation. When he won the schoolboy cricketer of the year award playing for Prince Wales College in Moratuwa, the progression was natural.

By the next year, he was captain of the Sri Lanka team in the 2014 Under-19 World Cup. But, his greatest moment possibly came in 2016 against Australia in Pallekele. On a pitch where Mitchell Starc was wreaking havoc, no batsman crossed 55. That is beside Kusal Mendis. His knock of 175 not only changed the entire game, it changed the whole series. Sri Lanka, who had won only one Test in 34 years of trying against Australia, ended up tripling the number by the end. Sri Lanka whitewashed Australia and in the end, it was thanks to the efforts of Kusal Mendis in Pallekele.

But, higher they climb, the bigger is their fall. Inconsistency and poor discipline when it came to attitude and fitness hurt Kusal Mendis in a big way. In 2020, things reached rock bottom when he was arrested for a road accident in Panadura. The elderly cyclist died in hospital but Mendis was granted bail. During the series in England, he was banned for a year for breaching the coronavirus bio-bubble protocol which further stunted his growth. In January 2021, Mendis was dismissed for four consecutive ducks, prompting a savage meme fest on him. Kusal Mendis has come back from the suspension and many will be hoping that he gives it all for Sri Lanka cricket.

Kusal Mendis International Cricket Debut

Kusal Mendis made his Test debut on October 2015 against the West Indies at the P Sara Oval in Colombo. During Sri Lanka’s tours to Ireland and England in 2016, Kusal Mendis ended up making his ODI and T20I debut respectively against Ireland and England.

Kusal Mendis in International Cricket

Kusal Mendis may have had an ordinary debut. But, in 2016, he played one of the greatest knocks by a Sri Lankan in Test cricket. The 176 that he hit in Pallekele against Australia changed Sri Lanka’s fortunes drastically. Following on from that magnificent knock, Kusal Mendis’ stock grew. In 2018, he became only the second player after Virat Kohli to hit 1000 runs in the calendar year in Tests. That year was punctuated by briliiant knocks in Bangladesh, West Indies and New Zealand.

His 196 against Bangladesh was magnificent. But, what stood out was his partnership of 246 against New Zealand in Wellington. Kusal Mendis slammed 141* and along with Angelo Mathews, ensured that Sri Lanka were out of trouble against the Kiwis. Kusal Mendis has been prolific even in the Lanka Premier League, managing to become one of the top run-getters in several editions of the tournament.

His ODI and T20I record have been underwhelming and his struggles have been real in the last couple of years. After hitting 119 in an ODI against West Indies in 2020, Kusal Mendis has failed to get past fifty in six ODIs.

Kusal Mendis in IPL

Kusal Mendis has never been part of the IPL in his six-year international career so far. The stock among Sri Lankan cricketers in the IPL has tumbled in the last couple of years. With the schedule being so uncertain for Sri Lanka, many franchises have not opted for Sri Lankan players. In IPL 2022, with his current form and with the controversy surrounding him, he may not be bought by any franchise.

Kusal Mendis International Tons

Kusal Mendis Test tons

Kusal Mendis ODI tons

Kusal Mendis Net Worth

At the age of 24, Kusal Mendis is believed to have a net worth in the range of USD 500,000 and USD 1.5 million

Kusal Mendis Salary

With his suspension from Sri Lanka cricket being lifted, it is unclear as to which category he may come into. Thus, the salary that he earns from cricket is unclear.

Kusal Mendis Controversy

In 2020, Kusal Mendis was involved in a fatal car accident in Panadura. He ran over an elderly cyclist who died in hospital. Kusal Mendis was arrested but was granted bail a day later. A year later, Mendis was caught breaching the bio-bubble environment in Durham during the tour to England. Kusal Mendis, along with Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella, were all banned for a year. However, recently, the ban was lifted

Kusal Mendis Date of Birth and Place of Birth

Kusal Mendis was born on February 2, 1995 in Moratuwa. His star sign is Aquarius.

Kusal Mendis Jersey Number

Kusal Mendis has 2 as his jersey number when he plays for Sri Lanka.

Kusal Mendis Family

There are not many details known about Kusal Mendis. His father’s name is Dinesh Mendis. His mother’s name, as well as sister’s name, are not known. He has a younger brother called Omesh Mendis who is 18 years of age.

Kusal Mendis Wife

Kusal Mendis married his wife in 2021 in Nuwara Eliya. Not much is known about Kusal Mendis’ wife as he has kept a low profile.

Kusal Mendis height and weight

Kusal Mendis’ height is six feet or 180 cms. His weight is 70 kgs.