Kamindu Mendis, once hailed as the next big star in Sri Lankan cricket, has encountered a challenging phase following an electrifying start to his Test career. After bursting onto the scene with a Bradmanesque average of 91.27 through his first 13 innings, Mendis has seen his form dip significantly.
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Over his last eight Test innings, he did not manage to score at least one score above 50, a stark contrast to his earlier performances where he scored nine fifty-plus scores in his initial 13 outings. Moreover, Kamindu is averaging only 22.50 in his last 8 innings in Tests with the bat which hurt Sri Lanka more in the recently concluded WTC 2023-25 cycle.
This downturn in form was particularly evident during the recent series against Australia at Galle, where Mendis averaged a disappointing 18.50, a far cry from his average of 154.50 in the preceding series against New Zealand at the same venue. His struggles have been characterized by low scores, with innings like 14, 13, and 15, indicating a struggle to convert starts into significant contributions.
Mendis' recent batting woes have sparked discussions among cricket analysts, where sentiments reflect disappointment over his inability to maintain his earlier momentum. After being named the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year in 2024, expectations were sky-high, but his recent performances have shown that even the most promising talents can face hurdles and can have a rough patch.
This period of struggle for Mendis is not uncommon in cricket, where players often experience peaks and troughs. The key for Mendis will be to use this phase as a learning curve, working on his technique and mental resilience to bounce back stronger. His potential remains undeniable, and with the right adjustments, Mendis could well return to the form that made him one of the most talked-about cricketers in recent times.
Sri Lanka would be eager to ride on the good form of Kamindu Mendis in the next World Test Championship cycle once it kicks off and probably push for their maiden WTC Final, if possible! For the record, New Zealand won the inaugural WTC title in 2021 while Australia won the second one in 2023! Both defeated India in the Final. South Africa and Australia will fight it out for the title this year in June at Lord's.
