Kamindu Mendis equals Test batting world record

Sri Lankan cricketer Kamindu Mendis has started his Test career in a great way. His dream run in Test cricket continues in the home Test series opener against New Zealand. The left-handed batter has equalled a world record in Test cricket.

Galle is hosting the first Test of the two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The Test series opener has a rest day on September 21 due to presidential elections in the country. 

On the opening day of the Galle Test, Kamindu Mendis slammed his fourth Test hundred in his 11th Test innings. Mendis is playing his seventh Test match, where the left-handed batter has recorded four centuries and four half-centuries.

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Kamindu Mendis equalled the record for 50+ scores in most consecutive Tests from a debut

Completing his fifty runs in 73 balls with the help of six fours, Kamindu Mendis equalled a world record in Test cricket. Scoring at least one half-century in all of his first seven Tests, the 25-year-old equalled the record for 50+ scores in most consecutive Tests from a debut. 

In 2023, Pakistan cricketer Saud Shakeel set up the record for 50+ scores in most consecutive Tests from a debut by recording it in seven successive Tests.

Players with 50+ scores in most successive Tests from debut

Kamnidu Mendis' early Test career  

Before the ongoing Galle Test, Kamindu Mendis recorded at least one half-century in his first six Tests. On his Test debut at Galle in July 2022, Mendis scored 61 in his Test debut innings. 

During their Bangladesh tour last March, Mendis scored 102 and 164 runs in the Sylhet Test, 92 not out, and 9 runs in the Chattogram Test. 

Sri Lanka played three Tests in their recently concluded England tour. After scoring 12 and 113 runs in the Manchester Test, the left-handed batter Mendis scored 74 and 4 runs in the Lord’s Test. During the Oval Test, Mendis scored 64 runs during his team’s first innings. 

In the ongoing Galle Test against New Zealand, Kamindu Mendis played an important role for Sri Lanka on the opening day. He completed his fourth Test century in 145 balls and scored 114 runs off 173 balls (11 fours) before getting out late on the opening day. His batting helped the hosts score 302/7 at the stumps of the day.