The Resurgence of Sri Lankan Cricket: Kusal Mendis and the New Dawn

Sri Lankan cricket has long been a tale of resilience, punctuated by the exploits of its talismanic players. Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga were the architects of numerous rescue acts in the 1990s, their stoic determination and brilliance often steering Sri Lanka away from the brink. They handed over the mantle to Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, whose sublime artistry and indomitable spirit sustained the team for over a decade. In the transitional phase that followed, Angelo Mathews emerged as the torchbearer, but persistent fitness issues curtailed his ability to consistently shoulder the burden. Consequently, the responsibility of reviving Sri Lanka’s fortunes fell to a new generation of players.

Among this cohort, names like Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera, Roshen Silva, and Kaushal Silva emerged, brimming with talent but often plagued by inconsistency. However, one name has begun to rise above the rest: Kusal Mendis. At just 23 years old, Mendis has showcased a temperament and resolve reminiscent of Sri Lanka’s cricketing greats, offering a glimmer of hope to a fanbase weary of mediocrity.

The Rise of Kusal Mendis

Mendis announced himself on the world stage with a scintillating 176 against a formidable Australian attack at Pallekele in 2016. It was an innings of rare brilliance, blending audacious strokeplay with an uncanny ability to dominate the opposition. The knock set the tone for a memorable series victory, but it also created an expectation that Mendis’s career trajectory would mirror the meteoric rise of legends before him. Yet, the years that followed were marked by inconsistency, as Mendis grappled with the nuances of Test cricket.

By 2018, under the guidance of coach Chandika Hathurusingha and batting mentor Thilan Samaraweera, Mendis began to evolve. He shed his impulsive reliance on counterattacks and embraced a more measured approach, understanding that Test cricket demands adaptability and patience. This transformation was evident during Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand, where Mendis delivered back-to-back heroic performances in Wellington and Christchurch, braving hostile conditions and relentless bowling to keep his team afloat.

A Newfound Maturity

The hallmark of Mendis’s resurgence has been his ability to adapt to the demands of different situations. Against New Zealand, he weathered the storm from Trent Boult and Tim Southee, enduring Neil Wagner’s relentless short-pitched barrage with poise. His partnership with Angelo Mathews in Wellington was a masterclass in survival, as the duo batted through an entire day to secure a draw. Mendis’s willingness to curb his natural attacking instincts for the team’s cause marked a significant shift in his approach.

Reflecting on his innings, Mendis acknowledged his errors with refreshing candour. “I don’t think that was a great ball to drive,” he admitted after his dismissal in Christchurch. “After looking at the replays, I realised I made the wrong decision. Hopefully, I can learn from it.” Such self-awareness is a trait shared by cricket’s finest, and it bodes well for Mendis’s future.

The Impact of Chandika Hathurusingha

Hathurusingha’s tenure as Sri Lanka’s coach has been fraught with challenges, but his influence on Mendis’s development is undeniable. Alongside Samaraweera, he has instilled in Mendis a deeper understanding of his game. The results have been encouraging: Mendis ended 2018 as one of the year’s leading run-scorers, amassing over 1,000 runs and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with luminaries like Virat Kohli.

The Road Ahead

Mendis’s declaration that he aims to score 1,000 runs every year is a testament to his ambition and hunger. Yet, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. For Sri Lanka to reclaim its place among cricket’s elite, Mendis must continue to evolve, translating his undeniable talent into consistent performances. He has shown glimpses of the temperament and technique required to emulate the likes of Mahela and Sangakkara, but the journey is far from over.

Sri Lanka’s cricketing fortunes have often hinged on the emergence of players capable of inspiring those around them. In Kusal Mendis, they may have found such a figure—a beacon of hope in a period of turmoil. His story is still being written, but if 2018 is any indication, Mendis has the potential to etch his name alongside the legends of Sri Lankan cricket.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

A Turnaround in the Island Nation: Sri Lanka’s Resurgence Against All Odds

In the summer of 2016, amid the grey clouds of despair hovering over Sri Lankan cricket, a moment of brilliance unfolded on the dusty pitches of the subcontinent. In the first ball of the 45th over of Australia’s innings in the third Test, Rangana Herath, the evergreen warrior of Sri Lankan cricket, delivered a slider that thudded into Nathan Lyon’s pad. The appeal was instant and the umpire’s finger went up. A review later, the decision stood, sealing Australia’s fate at 160 all out. Herath had taken his 13th wicket of the match, etching his name into history as the architect of a remarkable victory. Sri Lanka had not just won the Test but completed a historic 3-0 whitewash of the former world number one side. For a team that had never before managed such dominance over Australia, this triumph was more than a statistical anomaly—it was a statement.

The Shadow of Transition

The victory was as much about perseverance as it was about skill. Only weeks earlier, Sri Lanka had endured a miserable tour of England, succumbing to James Anderson and Stuart Broad’s mastery in swinging conditions. Their performance was dissected with the harsh lens of a cricketing fraternity used to seeing Sri Lanka as a powerhouse, albeit a fading one. The post-Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara era had begun in earnest, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. Angelo Mathews, burdened with the captaincy, struggled to find solace in a team riddled with inconsistency and an absence of generational talent.

But transitions are no strangers to Sri Lanka. They had weathered the exits of Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva in the past, finding salvation in the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Jayawardene, and Sangakkara. These legends, in turn, became the custodians of the team during their own transition. Now, with none of these icons left, Mathews had to navigate a storm with a cast that was largely untested and unproven.

The Herath Factor: A Beacon of Hope

If there was one constant in Sri Lanka’s turbulent seas, it was Rangana Herath. The wily left-arm spinner, with his unassuming demeanour and portly frame, defied conventional wisdom about athleticism. His guile, patience, and mastery over the art of spin transformed him into the torchbearer of Sri Lanka’s legacy. When Australia faltered against him, it wasn’t just Herath’s skill on display—it was the triumph of Sri Lanka’s enduring cricketing ethos.

Herath’s success underscored a critical aspect of Sri Lanka’s resilience: their capacity to adapt. Even as their cricket board grappled with accusations of corruption, the players retained a culture of quiet determination. There were no sweeping changes or dramatic calls for heads to roll. Instead, they placed faith in their process, their players, and their ability to weather the storm.

The Seeds of a New Generation

This faith extended to the new crop of cricketers—Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kaushal Silva, and Sandakan—who began to show glimpses of the future. These young guns, supported by Mathews and Chandimal, carried the promise of Sri Lanka’s cricketing revival. The victory over Australia was not merely a moment of glory; it was a harbinger of a brighter era, forged by a team that refused to yield to despair.

Lessons Beyond Cricket

Sri Lanka’s cricketing story in 2016 mirrors the ethos of its people. Despite facing adversity, both on and off the field, they chose to rebuild rather than bemoan their circumstances. This culture of quiet resilience, debate over argument, and positivity over pessimism, became their greatest strength. Their cricket is a reflection of a society that values perseverance and hard work, where solutions take precedence over excuses.

As the cricketing world watches, there is little doubt that Sri Lanka will rise again. Their journey, though fraught with challenges, is guided by the enduring spirit of their cricketing culture. With a balanced blend of experience and youth, Sri Lanka’s resurgence is not a question of *if* but *when*.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Kusal Mendis at Pallekele: A Prince’s Tale of Resilience and Redemption

 Test cricket has an uncanny ability to weave narratives that transcend the game, capturing the essence of human spirit and resilience. At Pallekele, against an Australian side poised to dominate, a young Kusal Mendis etched his name into cricketing folklore. It was not just the artistry of his innings but the sheer tenacity he displayed that turned an all-but-lost cause into one of Sri Lanka’s most cherished victories. 

The Shadows of a Nightmare

Sri Lanka’s tour of England preceding this series had left the team battered and broken. Harsh conditions, relentless bowlers, and their own fragilities culminated in one-sided defeats. The mental scars were evident when the Sri Lankan batting crumbled for 117 in the first innings against Australia at Pallekele. On a pitch that demanded grit and application, the Lankan top-order fell prey to the precision of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve O’Keefe, and Nathan Lyon. 

Australia’s reply, though far from dominant, was enough to secure a lead, leaving Sri Lanka staring at a familiar script of surrender. As their second innings began, the narrative seemed to repeat itself. The top order collapsed, and with the score at 6 for 2 and then 86 for 4, it appeared the team was destined for another ignominious defeat. 

A Prince Rises

Enter Kusal Mendis, a 21-year-old right-hander who refused to bow to the inevitability of failure. With a flick off Hazlewood early in his innings, he hinted at his intent—not defiance but controlled aggression. By the time he reached 34 off 34 balls, he had set a tone of counterattack, but he also showed remarkable restraint. As wickets fell around him, Mendis adapted, shifting from aggression to composure, recognizing the need to anchor the innings. 

The hallmark of his knock was its elegance, underpinned by an unyielding resolve. His timing was exquisite, particularly on the onside, where he executed pulls and flicks with authority. One pull shot, played with a slightly open face, was a masterclass in balance and precision—a visual delight that showcased his rare gift of merging flair with control. 

Composure Meets Courage

What stood out most in Mendis’ innings was his temperament. While Dinesh Chandimal, his partner during a critical phase, opted for aggression, Mendis remained composed, constructing his innings meticulously. Their partnership wasn’t merely a statistical contribution; it was a statement of belief. Chandimal’s aggression complimented Mendis’ patience, but it was the younger man’s calm demeanour that steadied the ship. 

His stroke-making against spin was another feature of his masterclass. A half-century came up with a sweep against O’Keefe, but there was no celebration of arrogance, no sign of impetuosity. Mendis was playing for more than a milestone; he was playing to rewrite a script of despair. 

The Battle for Hope

By the time Mendis reached his maiden Test hundred with a six—a rare moment of flamboyance—it was clear this was no ordinary knock. His innings wasn’t just about runs; it was about lifting the spirits of a team burdened by recent failures. When he finally fell for 176 on the fourth morning, he had already transformed the match. Sri Lanka, inspired by their young talisman, pushed for an improbable victory. 

The Final Act

Australia’s response in their chase added layers of drama. A stubborn partnership between Peter Nevill and O’Keefe, spanning 178 balls and yielding just four runs, tested Sri Lanka’s resolve. But it was fitting that the hosts prevailed, as anything less would have been an injustice to Mendis’ heroics. 

A Prince's Legacy 

Kusal Mendis’ knock at Pallekele wasn’t just a great innings; it was a defining moment for Sri Lankan cricket. In a team still searching for heroes in the post-Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara era, Mendis emerged as a beacon of hope. His ability to blend artistry with discipline, aggression with patience, and elegance with grit marked him as a rare gem. 

In the grand narrative of cricket, it’s often said that matches are won not just by skill but by willpower. Mendis embodied this truth. Against a formidable Australian attack on a testing surface, he showed that even in the face of overwhelming odds, one resolute individual can inspire a team, a nation, and a generation. 

As the dust settled on Pallekele, Kusal Mendis stood not just as a centurion but as a symbol of resilience. He was the young prince who, through courage and composure, rescued his kingdom and rekindled pride. His innings will forever be remembered as a testament to the transformative power of belief.   

Thank You

Faisal Caesar