• Kamindu Mendis showcased his remarkable talent for Sri Lanka during the second Test against New Zealand.

  • Mendis smashed his his fifth hundred in just 13 innings.

SL vs NZ: Fans erupt as Kamindu Mendis shatters records with 5th Test century on Day 2 of the 2nd Test
Kamindu Mendis (Image Source: X)

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Kamindu Mendis showcased his remarkable talent for Sri Lanka during the second Test against New Zealand, hitting his fifth hundred in just 13 innings – a testament to his extraordinary start in Test cricket.

Stellar performance in Galle by Kamindu Mendis

The milestone was achieved on Day 2 of the match at the Galle International Stadium, where Kamindu’s performance propelled Sri Lanka past the 400-run mark. Mendis reached his century in 147 balls, marking his second ton of the series and his third fifty-plus score in as many innings. His innings included a significant partnership with Angelo Mathews, as the duo amassed a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket in 125 balls during the first session of the second day. This performance underscored Kamindu’s pivotal role in stabilizing the Sri Lankan innings.

Contributions from Teammates

Earlier, Dimuth Karunaratne provided a solid start with 46 runs before being run out. Dinesh Chandimal played a pivotal role, scoring 116 off 208 balls, and showcasing resilience at the crease. Mathews contributed significantly with 88 runs, anchoring the innings effectively. Dhananjaya de Silva added 44 runs, while Kamindu remained unbeaten on 113, accelerating the scoring towards the end. Sri Lanka demonstrated depth in batting and so far reached 445/5, capitalizing on the New Zealand bowling attack, particularly Glenn Phillips, who took three wickets.

Historic achievements for Sri Lanka

Mendis’ fifth century not only highlights his rapid ascent in Test cricket but also places him among the legends of the game. He is now joint-third fastest to five Test hundreds from debut, equaling the likes of Don Bradman and George Headley, both achieving the feat in 13 innings. Only Everton Weekes (10 innings), Herbert Sutcliffe (12 innings) and Robert Harvey (12 innings) have reached this milestone quicker.

Additionally, Kamindu has set a new Asian record, eclipsing Pakistan’s Fawad Alam, who reached five centuries in 22 innings, while also surpassing Aravinda de Silva‘s Sri Lankan record of five hundreds in 38 innings. With his performances this year, Kamindu has overtaken Joe Root for the most Test hundreds, with five to his name.

Also WATCH: Dimuth Karunaratne loses cool at Dinesh Chandimal after his unfortunate run out | SL vs NZ, 2nd Test

On track for further milestones

Kamindu is also on the brink of becoming the fastest Asian to reach 1,000 Test runs, having already crossed the 900-run mark in just 13 innings. Vinod Kambli currently holds the record for the quickest Asian to 1,000 runs, achieving the milestone in 14 innings. Kamindu’s stellar performance against New Zealand not only cements his status as a rising star but also raises expectations for his future contributions to Sri Lankan cricket.

Here’s how Fans reacted:

Also READ: Fans react as Dinesh Chandimal hits a stunning century in the 2nd Test against New Zealand

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AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
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