Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis Surpasses Sunil Gavaskar To Equal Pakistan Star Shaud Shakeel's World Record

Sri Lanka star Kamindu Mendis has been enjoying a dream debut in Tests. Since playing his first Test in July 2022, Mendis scored at least one 50-plus score in each of his first six Tests. Now on Wednesday, in a Test match against New Zealand in Galle, Mendis scored a ton. With that he has a fifty-plus score in each of his first seven Tests. This feat has happenned only once before in the 147-year history of Test cricket. Last year, Pakistan's Saud Shakeel became the first Test player to score 50-plus scores in each of his first seven Tests.

Before that, India's Sunil Gavaskar, Pakistan's Saeed Ahmed, West Indies' Basil Butcher and New Zealand's Bert Sutcliffe scored half-centuries in each of their first six Tests.

Mendis scored a courageous century against New Zealand Wednesday as the hosts wrestled back the initiative to reach 302 for seven at stumps on the first day of the first Test.

Sri Lanka had slumped to 106 for four just after lunch but Kamindu -- player of the series for Sri Lanka during their recent tour of England -- provided a confident and calm performance that steadied the team.

Kamindu said the Sri Lankans were aiming to "get close to the 350 mark" on Thursday to make them "on top of the game".

The all-rounder's innings came to an end on 114 in the penultimate over of the day when Ajaz Patel turned the ball sharply and it popped off the glove for an easy catch at first slip.

"It's a special hundred this one, as this came in my hometown," Kamindu said.

"I should have gone on to get a big one, but I couldn't do much about that ball."

Kamindu, known for his ability to bat and bowl with both hands, is playing in his seventh Test match. He has already notched up four centuries and four half-centuries in scoring