Kusal Mendis

Balapuwaduge Kusal Gimhan Mendis, popularly known as Kusal Mendis is a right-handed batsman, who has a compact technique and is regarded as one of the most promising talents of the current-gen cricketers. 

After the departure of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, the right-hander hailing from the Prince of Wales College, in Moratuwa came in for Sri Lanka on the back of awards like Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in 2013.

Mendis led the Sri Lankan U19 team during 2014 World Cup where his side was knocked out of the competition by Pakistan in the Quarter-finals. After the ICC tournament, the Sri Lankan selectors awarded his maiden Test cap and the right-hander made his debut during the second Test of Sobers-Tissera Trophy in 2015. Soon, he received his ODI cap against Ireland where Mendis showcased his technique and scored a well-composed half-century.

In 2016, Mendis scored his maiden Test century during the first Test against Australia where the batsman showcased his potential. And a year later, the cricketing fraternity saw the rise of Sri Lankan batter as he scored his maiden ODI ton against Bangladesh, after scoring his career-best Test score of 196 runs against the same opposition in his own backyard.

A couple of months later, he played a knock that he would cherish his entire life. During the Champions Trophy of 2017, Mendis registered a memorable 89 run-knock against India while chasing a mammoth total of 322. 

He again took on the Indians and scored his third Test century, followed by a 102 and 141* against West Indies and New Zealand, respectively, in 2018. Since then, the promising star is facing a downfall as he has only managed twice to go to the three-figure mark.

In July 2020, Mendis was arrested after being involved in a fatal road accident in Panadura. He was driving a vehicle that hit an elderly cyclist, who later died in hospital. Mendis was released on bail and had to pay two colossal fines of Sri Lankan Rupees 1 million ($5400 approx) each.

In the South Africa and England Test series of 2021, Mendis held the unimpressive record of scoring four ducks in a row. But that's the thing about a promising player, he comes hard when all odds are against him. 

(As of March 2021)