Kamindu Mendis’ Stellar Year Earns ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

Sri Lankan batsman Kamindu Mendis has been named the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year, capping off a remarkable year in which he established himself as one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable and dynamic cricketers.

The left-handed batter made waves across all formats, amassing 1451 runs at an average just above 50, and was consistently among the team’s top performers in crucial moments.
Before 2024, Mendis had only one Test appearance for Sri Lanka. However, by the end of the year, he had solidified his spot as an all-format player, particularly stepping up during high-pressure situations.

His performances were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s push for a maiden ICC World Test Championship Final berth, delivering several key knocks in the longest format of the game.

Mendis was one of six players to surpass 1000 Test runs in 2024, boasting the highest average among them. He scored five centuries and three fifties, showcasing his ability to convert starts into match-winning contributions.

His stunning run of form also saw him become the joint-third fastest to reach 1000 Test runs, matching Sir Don Bradman’s record of 13 innings to achieve the milestone.

The 26-year-old’s contributions helped Sri Lanka secure vital Test victories against New Zealand, Bangladesh, and England, both at home and abroad. Notably, Mendis played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s first Test victory in England in a decade, finishing as the team’s top run-scorer in the three-match series.

One of Mendis’ standout performances came in the second Test against New Zealand in Galle, where he scored a career-best unbeaten 182. His knock helped Sri Lanka post a mammoth total of 602/5, setting the stage for a 2-0 series sweep. Mendis’ attacking innings of 182 runs off 250 balls, including 16 boundaries and four sixes, earned him the Player of the Match award.

Mendis is also the only Sri Lankan cricketer included in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year 2024.