Kamindu named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for March 2024
Kamindu Mendis, the talented all-rounder from Sri Lanka, has been honored with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for March 2024 in recognition of his outstanding display during the test series against Bangladesh.
Mendis, following in the footsteps of Prabath Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga, is the third Sri Lankan to claim this prestigious award. He views this recognition as a driving force for his future endeavors in the realm of international cricket.
Expressing his delight, Mendis stated, “I am thrilled to have been selected as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month, a distinction that I find truly inspiring for my international cricket journey.” He added, “Acknowledgments like this serve as a catalyst, urging us players to strive harder and perform consistently for the benefit of our team, nation, and supporters.”
Extending his best wishes to fellow nominees Mark Adair and Matt Henry, Mendis commended their skills and competitive spirit. This accolade marks a remarkable comeback for the 25-year-old, who returned to the Sri Lankan squad after a hiatus since 2022. Mendis commenced the month with a notable performance, scoring 68 runs in the T20 series against Bangladesh, including a crucial 37 runs in the second T20I off 27 deliveries.
His standout performance, however, came in the Test format, where he showcased his prowess by scoring centuries in both innings of the first Test against Bangladesh. Facing a challenging situation with Sri Lanka at 57/5, Mendis partnered with Dhananjaya de Silva to forge a monumental 202-run partnership, guiding the team to a respectable total of 280. Both batsmen reached centuries, with Mendis contributing 102 runs.
In the second innings, Mendis continued his stellar form, crafting a career-best 164 runs from the No.8 position, embellished with 16 boundaries and 6 maximums. His exceptional feat of scoring two centuries in a single Test match from a position lower than number seven is a testament to his skill and determination. Sri Lanka’s dominant performance saw them post 418 runs and dismiss Bangladesh for 182, securing a resounding victory by a massive margin of 328 runs.
