Despite being in a precarious position, Sri Lankan cricketer Kusal Mendis showed immense grit and determination as he battled through a groin injury to score an unbeaten 74 runs and guide his team to a thrilling three-wicket victory against New Zealand. This win not only secured Sri Lanka their fifth ODI series win this year, but also broke a 12-year drought of not winning an ODI series against the Black Caps. The third and final match of the series will take place on Tuesday at Pallekele.
In a thrilling third and final game, Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies by 9 wickets to win their first ever T20 international series against the Caribbean side. Kusal Mendis' unbeaten 68 runs helped his team chase down a target of 163 with ease, much to the delight of a packed crowd in Dambulla. The victory was even more impressive given the difficult pitch conditions, proving the Sri Lankan team's adaptability and skill.
Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis was the star of the show as he guided his team to a convincing nine-wicket victory over West Indies in the third and final T20 match. The 2024 T20 series win is Sri Lanka's first ever over the West Indies, marking a historic moment for the team and their home crowd.
Despite a strong effort from Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka managed to defeat the West Indies by nine wickets in the third and final game, sealing their first ever T20 series win against the Caribbean team. Mendis' unbeaten 68 runs, which included five fours and three sixes, proved to be the decisive factor in the match. The victory was met with jubilation from the home crowd in Dambulla, where the match was held.
Sri Lanka claimed their first-ever series win against the West Indies in a thrilling third and final Twenty20 international. Powered by half-centuries from Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka easily chased down a target of 163 with nine wickets in hand and two overs to spare. This victory came after the West Indies won the first match but Sri Lanka came back strong to win the series 2-1, with Mendis named as the player of the match and Pathum Nissanka named as the player of the series.
Sri Lankan middle-order batsman Kamindu Mendis has made history by becoming the joint-fastest player to score 1000 runs in just eight Test matches. His remarkable feat of achieving this milestone in just 13 innings, equaling the likes of Don Bradman, has put him in an elite club. Sri Lanka's dominant batting display against New Zealand in Galle, where they declared at 602/5, was led by Kamindu's partnership with Kusal Mendis, adding to their impressive tally of three century-plus partnerships in the innings. With the Kiwi openers already dismissed, all eyes will be on Kamindu as he resumes the game on day three.
England's Ollie Pope made headlines with his blistering knock of 150, the fastest at The Oval, before being dismissed for 325 on day two of the third Test against Sri Lanka. Debutant Josh Hull also left his mark by claiming his first Test wicket, while bad light and the contentious issue of players being called off the field due to darkness continued to frustrate both teams. Despite a late comeback by Sri Lanka's captain Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, England still holds a first-innings lead but their lower-order collapse in the final six wickets brought some fight from Sri Lanka's side.
Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube made an impressive mark during the first match of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, taking his first ODI wicket by dismissing Kusal Mendis. The match, held at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, saw Sri Lanka lose an early wicket in the form of Avishka Fernando, thanks to Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj. India took the upper hand in the match, with Sri Lanka at 37-1 at the 10-over mark. In the 14th over, Dube delivered a good-length ball which angled in and straightened upon pitching, catching Mendis off guard and leading to his dismissal. Watch the exciting moment here.
Sri Lanka Cricket have announced their 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India, with Charith Asalanka being named as the new ODI captain. The team boasts a solid top-order with Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Kusal Mendis. Star batter Sadeera Samarawickrama has also been included in the squad, making for a threatening lineup. With former T20I skipper Wanindu Hasaranga leading the spin attack and a strong pace duo of Dilshan Madhushanka and Matheesha Pathirana, Sri Lanka will look to put up a fight against India in the series starting on August 2.
In a thrilling match at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Team India showcased their strength and depth in the T20 format. After setting a formidable total of 213 runs, the Indian bowlers took charge and restricted the Sri Lankan side to 170 runs, securing a 43-run victory. With this win, India takes a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Despite a strong start by Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, the Indian bowlers, led by Riyan Parag and Axar Patel, managed to turn the tables and secure a victory for their team.