Home Sportivo Kusal Mendis risponde alla chiamata dell’allenatore in battuta, sbatte la sesta tonnellata...

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Kusal Mendis risponde alla chiamata dell’allenatore in battuta, sbatte la sesta tonnellata di ODI

Luglio 8, 2025

Kusal Mendis ha distrutto la sua sesta tonnellata di ODI nella 3a ODI SL vs Ban dopo aver affrontato le critiche per non aver convertito le parti

Kusal Mendis continued his blistering form, smashing a stunning century in the SL vs BAN 3rd ODI on Tuesday. The 30-year-old stitched vital partnership with Charith Asalanka to put the hosts on top in the series decider. Mendis’ century comes after he coped some criticism from batting coach Thilina Kandamby after his performances earlier in the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh series.

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat at Pallekele but lost Nishan Madushka in just the 5th over of the innings. Kusal Mendis walked in and looked set from the get go. He paced his innings well, with a half-century partnership with Pathum Nissanka. However, his job got tougher as the hosts slipped to 100-3 with 29 overs still to play.

He joined forces with captain Charith Asalanka to set up a grand finish for Sri Lanka. Mendis batted at a fair clip, with boundaries at regular intervals. He eventually reached his hundred in 95 deliveries continuing his fine form in the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh series. He now has the second most runs for a Sri Lankan batter against Bangladesh across all formats, behind only Kumar Sangakkara.

Most international runs for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh

Kumar Sangakkara – 3090

Kusal Mendis – 2032

TM Dilshan – 1903

Mahela Jayawardene – 1723

Upul Tharanga – 1507

Kusal Mendis scored 45 in the first ODI and followed it up with a 56 in the second ODI. The latter was achieved in just 20 balls, before the 30-year-old threw his wicket away. Sri Lanka eventually lost that game, with batting coach Thilina Kandamby asking Mendis to convert his starts.

“He gave us a cracking start in the first game and is an experienced player, and he has played lot of cricket. He has to understand that now, and he needs to convert those starts into hundreds. If he scores a hundred, we win 90 to 95% of our games. He knows that too. When you are in such good form, it’s a crime to throw away your wicket,” Kandamby said in his press conference.

If the SL vs BAN 3rd ODI is any indication, Mendis has taken aboard the criticism. He and Kandamby worked on rotating strike and other aspects of batting and the change was clear to see. The 30-year-old came into bat in the 6th over, and was still at the crease at the end of the 45th. Mendis took Sri Lanka past 250, and now will be eyeing a 300+ target in the series decider.