• Kamindu Mendis felt short of a century but helped Sri Lanka stay in the fight on Day 4 against Bangladesh.

  • Sri Lanka trail by 10 runs in their first innings.

Fans react as Kamindu Mendis misses out on a well-deserved ton against Bangladesh in the first Test at Galle
Kamindu Mendis (Image Source: X)

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On Day 4 of the gripping Test match between the two Asian sides, the hosts Sri Lanka put up a strong batting display to counter Bangladesh’s huge first-innings total. In the second session, Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 485 runs, following a sudden collapse at the end. The standout performer of the day was Kamindu Mendis, whose gritty innings played a key role in helping Sri Lanka cross the 400-run mark and stay competitive in the match.

Kamindu Mendis fails to complete his century but wins hearts 

Before Kamindu walked in, Sri Lanka reached 293 for the loss of three wickets, still trailing by 202 runs. Kamindu settled in comfortably, playing a composed and well-paced innings. He showed great intent when needed and remained calm under pressure. While wickets continued to fall at the other end, Mendis held his ground and kept the scoreboard ticking.

He went on to score a brilliant 87 off 148 balls, including eight fours and a well-timed six. His innings came to an end when Nayeem Hasan produced a delivery that rose sharply, brushed Mendis’s gloves, and was safely caught by the fielder. His missed century sparked plenty of reactions on social media, with many praising the quality and maturity of his knock.

The first Test hangs in balance 

The first Test of the two-match series is beautifully poised, with both sides fighting hard in a neck-and-neck contest. In the first innings, the visitors posted a massive total of 495 runs, led by brilliant centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim. Wicketkeeper Litton Das also delivered a gritty knock of 90 runs down the order.

In response, Sri Lanka put up a strong effort with the bat, highlighted by a scintillating 187 from opener Pathum Nissanka. While several other Sri Lankan batters got promising starts, they couldn’t convert them into big scores. It was Kamindu in the middle order who anchored the innings and powered Sri Lanka to 485. With the hosts trailing by just 10 runs and a little over four sessions left, the match is heading toward an exciting finish.

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About the Author:
VARUN VERMA
Varun Verma is a dedicated cricket enthusiast with a flair for storytelling and in-depth analysis. Combining a deep knowledge of the sport with a talent for engaging content creation, he brings the drama and thrill of the game to life for fans around the world. Drawing inspiration from the grit and passion of players like Ben Stokes, Varun aspires to one day experience the electrifying atmosphere of a Test match at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. He can be reached at varun.verma@crickettimes.com and followed on LinkedIn and X.