Balapuwaduge Kusal Gimhan Mendis was born on 2 February 1995 in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. He has represented the national side in Tests, One‑Day Internationals and Twenty‑20 Internationals and captains the side in all formats. Domestically he has played for Colombo Cricket Club and featured in several provincial and franchise teams, establishing himself as a prolific top‑order batsman.
His career began with notable performances at school level, earning the schoolboy cricketer of the year award in 2013 and captaining both the national youth side and Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. Since his debut, Mendis has accumulated centuries in each format and contributed to Sri Lanka’s successes in bilateral series and tournaments.
Kusal Mendis: quick facts
- Born: 2 February 1995, Moratuwa
- Team: Sri Lanka
- Teams: Colombo Cricket Club
Kusal Mendis’ early life
Mendis grew up in Moratuwa and attended Prince of Wales College, where he led the school team and the national youth squad. His early promise was recognised when he received the schoolboy cricketer of the year accolade in 2013, highlighting his potential as a future international player.
Kusal Mendis’ domestic career
Mendis entered first‑class cricket with Colombo Cricket Club, playing only sixteen matches before his national call‑up. In the 2018 SLC T20 League he topped the run‑scoring chart for Galle, amassing 182 runs across six games. During the 2019–20 Premier League Tournament he recorded a 139 against Ragama Cricket Club, contributing to an innings victory for Colombo. The following season he posted his first double‑century in first‑class cricket against Nondescripts Cricket Club and later added a 157 against Chilaw Marians, both innings ending in draws.
Kusal Mendis’ international career
Mendis made his Test debut as Sri Lanka’s 132nd player in the Sobers‑Tissera Trophy, followed by an ODI debut versus Ireland on 16 June 2016, where he also recorded his first fifty. His T20I debut came a few weeks later against England. He scored his maiden Test hundred in July 2016 against Australia, becoming the youngest Sri Lankan to achieve that feat against the side. Subsequent highlights include a 102 against Bangladesh in March 2017, an 89‑run chase in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, and a 196 in the 2018 Test at Galle, narrowly missing a double‑century. In the period from June 2026 to October 2026 he featured in three T20Is (97 runs, highest 87), five ODIs (123 runs, highest 89) and two Tests (79 runs, highest 69).
Kusal Mendis’ franchise and league career
Mendis entered the Lanka Premier League with the Kandy Tuskers in its inaugural 2020 edition. He later joined the Galle Gladiators for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, before moving to South Africa’s SA20 competition, signing for Pretoria Capitals in February 2023 and earning a player‑of‑the‑match award with an 80‑run knock. In May 2026 he was appointed the Local Icon Player for Colombo Kaps ahead of the 2026 Lanka Premier League.
Kusal Mendis’ records and achievements
Among his accolades, Mendis was named the ODI batsman of the year for the 2016–17 season at Sri Lanka Cricket’s annual awards. He received a national contract in May 2018, reflecting his standing among the country’s top players. His performances have included multiple centuries across formats, a record partnership of 308 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva in a 2018 Test, and being the second Sri Lankan after Kumar Sangakkara to be dismissed in the 190s on two occasions.
Kusal Mendis’ personal life
Mendis’s formative years were spent in Moratuwa, where he attended Prince of Wales College and captained its cricket team. Details beyond his education and early cricketing background are not publicly documented.
Kusal Mendis in internationals, last 12 months
- T20I: 3 matches, 97 runs in 3 innings (highest 87)
- ODI: 5 matches, 123 runs in 5 innings (highest 89)
- Test: 2 matches, 79 runs in 4 innings (highest 69)
Kusal Mendis: frequently asked questions
When was Kusal Mendis born?
Kusal Mendis was born on 2 February 1995 in Moratuwa.
Where is Kusal Mendis from?
Kusal Mendis was born in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
Which teams has Kusal Mendis played for?
Kusal Mendis plays international cricket for Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis’s other teams include Colombo Cricket Club.
What are Kusal Mendis’s international stats in the last 12 months?
From June 2026 to October 2026, Kusal Mendis played T20I: 3 matches, 97 runs in 3 innings (highest 87); ODI: 5 matches, 123 runs in 5 innings (highest 89); Test: 2 matches, 79 runs in 4 innings (highest 69).
