Kamindu Mendis named ICC Men’s Emerging cricketer of the Year 2024

Sri Lankan cricketer Kamindu Mendis has been crowned the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024, following a phenomenal season highlighted by his consistency and adaptability across all formats. The 26-year-old left-handed batter amassed an impressive 1,451 runs in the calendar year, averaging over 50, and established himself as a key player for Sri Lanka on the international stage.

Mendis had a particularly stellar year in Test cricket, scoring 1,049 runs in nine matches at an astounding average of 74.92. Slotting into the middle order, he became one of only six batters to cross the 1,000-run mark in Test cricket in 2024, and his average was the highest among them.

He demonstrated his ability to convert starts into significant scores, registering five centuries and three half-centuries during the year. One of the most remarkable achievements of his career came when Mendis equaled Don Bradman’s record as the joint-third fastest player to reach 1,000 Test runs, achieving the milestone in just 13 innings.

Mendis’ contributions were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s push for their maiden ICC World Test Championship Final spot, showcasing his capability to perform under pressure.

Kamindu Mendis played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s victories against top teams, including New Zealand, Bangladesh, and England. His performances in the three-Test series in England were particularly notable, where he emerged as Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer and helped secure their first Test win in England in over a decade.

The highlight of Mendis’ year came in the second Test against New Zealand in Galle, where he scored a career-best unbeaten 182 in the first innings. Facing 250 deliveries and striking 16 boundaries and four sixes, Mendis anchored Sri Lanka to a massive total of 602/5, setting the stage for a 2-0 series victory. His incredible knock earned him the Player of the Match award.

Despite having played only one Test match before 2024, Mendis demonstrated remarkable versatility, becoming a dependable all-format player for Sri Lanka. His ability to adapt to different conditions and perform in high-pressure situations has solidified his position as one of the brightest emerging talents in international cricket.