Kamindu Mendis was born on 30 September 1998 in Galle, Sri Lanka. He is a professional cricketer who represents the Sri Lankan national side in Tests, ODIs and T20Is and plays domestically for Colombo Cricket Club.
An ambidextrous bowler capable of delivering both right‑arm off‑spin and left‑arm orthodox spin, Mendis made his international debut in October 2018 and has since become a regular member of the side, featuring in all three formats and contributing as a middle‑order batsman.
Kamindu Mendis: quick facts
- Born: 30 September 1998, Galle
- Team: Sri Lanka
Kamindu Mendis’ early life
Mendis began his cricketing journey at Richmond College in Galle, where he took up bowling with both his right and left arms at the age of thirteen. The dual‑arm technique was nurtured through school matches and practice sessions, laying the foundation for the rare ambidextrous skill set that later defined his professional career.
Kamindu Mendis’ domestic career
He made his List A debut on 30 November 2015, sharing the field with Charith Asalanka in the AIA Premier Limited Over Tournament. The following month he was selected for Sri Lanka’s squad at the 2016 Under‑19 Cricket World Cup and was appointed captain of the Under‑19 side in December 2016, leading the team at the 2018 edition of the tournament. Mendis featured in Colombo’s squads for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament, the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament and the 2018 SLC T20 League, making his Twenty20 debut on 21 August 2018. His first‑class debut came for Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club on 30 November 2018 in the Premier League Tournament. In March 2019 he was again named in Colombo’s squad for the Super Provincial One Day Tournament, and in December 2019 he finished as the leading wicket‑taker in the Invitation Limited Over Tournament with nineteen dismissals from eight matches.
Kamindu Mendis’ international career
Mendis earned his first senior cap in the Twenty20 International format against England on 27 October 2018, scoring twenty‑four runs on debut. He made his One Day International debut on 10 March 2019 versus South Africa and entered Test cricket on 8 July 2022 against Australia, where he recorded a maiden fifty and a 133‑run partnership with Dinesh Chandimal. Between June 2026 and October 2026 he featured in three formats: T20I – 3 matches, 86 runs in 3 innings (highest 40), 0 wickets; ODI – 5 matches, 259 runs in 5 innings (highest 131), 0 wickets; Test – 4 matches, 240 runs in 8 innings (highest 84), 0 wickets. His Test record includes multiple centuries, a record‑breaking twin‑hundred partnership against Bangladesh and a series of high‑average performances that have placed him among the top statistical achievers in modern Test cricket.
Kamindu Mendis’ franchise and league career
In the inaugural Lanka Premier League in October 2020, Mendis was drafted by the Kandy Tuskers. He later represented the Kandy Warriors in the 2021 edition and the Kandy Falcons in 2022. The Colombo Kaps signed him as the "Local Star Player" for the 2026 LPL, where he captained the side in Kusal Mendis’ absence and topped the run‑scoring chart with 280 runs. Mendis entered the Indian Premier League when Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired him for ₹75 lakh in the 2025 mega auction; he made history by switching his bowling arm within a single over and claimed a notable catch that earned the "Catch of the Season" award. The franchise retained him for the 2026 IPL at the same price. He also joined MI Emirates for the International League T20 2025/26 season as a pre‑signed player.
Kamindu Mendis’ playing style
Mendis is distinguished by his ambidextrous bowling, delivering right‑arm off‑spin and left‑arm orthodox spin with equal proficiency. This rare ability allows him to alter the line and length mid‑over, a tactic he famously employed in the IPL, becoming the first player to change bowling arm during a single over. As a batsman, he occupies the middle order, combining solid technique with the capacity to accelerate the scoring rate, as reflected in his recent international run aggregates across formats.
Kamindu Mendis’ records and achievements
He became the first batter to record two centuries in a Test while batting at No. 7 or lower, and the first to score fifty or more in eight consecutive Test matches since debut. Mendis is joint third fastest to reach 1,000 Test runs, achieving the milestone in just 13 innings, and holds the record for the fastest Asian to 1,000 Test runs. He was the first player to switch bowling arm during an over in the IPL. His accolades include ICC Men’s Player of the Month (March 2024, September 2024), ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year (2024), selection in the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year (2024) and Sri Lanka Cricket Cricketer of the Year (2024).
Kamindu Mendis in internationals, last 12 months
- T20I: 3 matches, 86 runs in 3 innings (highest 40), 0 wickets
- ODI: 5 matches, 259 runs in 5 innings (highest 131), 0 wickets
- Test: 4 matches, 240 runs in 8 innings (highest 84), 0 wickets
Kamindu Mendis: frequently asked questions
When was Kamindu Mendis born?
Kamindu Mendis was born on 30 September 1998 in Galle.
Where is Kamindu Mendis from?
Kamindu Mendis was born in Galle, Sri Lanka.
Which teams has Kamindu Mendis played for?
Kamindu Mendis plays international cricket for Sri Lanka.
What are Kamindu Mendis’s international stats in the last 12 months?
From June 2026 to October 2026, Kamindu Mendis played T20I: 3 matches, 86 runs in 3 innings (highest 40), 0 wickets; ODI: 5 matches, 259 runs in 5 innings (highest 131), 0 wickets; Test: 4 matches, 240 runs in 8 innings (highest 84), 0 wickets.
