Kamindu Mendis Becomes The 2nd Cricketer, After Gill, To Win PoTM Award Twice in A Year

Sri Lankan batting sensation Kamindu Mendis has added another feather to his cap by winning the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for September 2024. This is the second time he has received this honor this year, joining Indian rising star Shubman Gill in a rare list of cricketers.

A Stellar Month

Mendis’s performance in September was nothing short of exceptional. He played in four Test matches and scored a remarkable 451 runs at an average of 90.20. His innings included two centuries and a fifty-plus score, which helped Sri Lanka secure a consolation win against England and a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand.

A Historic Achievement

Mendis has now become the first Sri Lankan and only the second player in history to win the Player of the Month award twice in the same year. He joins Shubman Gill, who also achieved this feat earlier in 2024.

Breaking Records

Mendis has been on a roll in Test cricket, breaking several records during his short career. In September, he became the first men’s player in history to pass fifty in each of the first eight matches of his Test career. He also became the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1000 Test runs, doing so in just eight Tests.

Mendis’s most impressive innings during the month came in the second Test against New Zealand. He scored a dominant 182* in Sri Lanka’s mammoth first-innings total of 602/5 declared, setting up a convincing win for his team.

However, his 114 in the first innings of the first Test against New Zealand was equally impressive. He came to the crease with his side in trouble at 88/3 and played a crucial role in helping Sri Lanka recover and win the match by a narrow margin.

A Rising Star

Mendis has quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in world cricket. His consistent performances and ability to score runs in all conditions have earned him widespread praise.

As he continues to progress in his career, it will be interesting to see what other achievements he can accomplish. With his talent and dedication, Mendis has the potential to become one of the greatest batsmen of his generation.