Sri Lanka Star Kamindu Mendis Crowned ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer Of The Year 2024

Sri Lankan cricketer Kamindu Mendis has been named the ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year, following an exceptional 2024 marked by consistent and impactful performances across formats, as per the International Cricket Council (ICC). The 26-year-old left-handed batter accumulated an impressive 1451 runs in the calendar year at an average exceeding 50, solidifying his status as one of the brightest talents in international cricket. Despite having just one Test match under his belt before 2024, Mendis transformed himself into a reliable all-format player for Sri Lanka and emerged as a key figure in high-pressure situations.

Mendis had a stellar year in Test cricket, amassing 1049 runs in nine matches at an astounding average of 74.92. Slotting into the middle order, he became one of only six batters to score over 1000 Test runs in 2024 and boasted the highest average among them.

The southpaw's consistency and ability to convert starts into substantial scores were evident as he notched up five centuries and three half-centuries during the year. His performances were instrumental in Sri Lanka's push for a maiden ICC World Test Championship Final spot.

In one of the most remarkable milestones of his career, Mendis equalled Don Bradman's record by becoming the joint-third fastest to reach 1000 Test runs, achieving the feat in just 13 innings.

Mendis played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's Test victories against top teams like New Zealand, Bangladesh, and England, showcasing his ability to excel in both home and overseas conditions. His contributions in the three-Test series in England were particularly noteworthy, as he finished as Sri Lanka's leading run-scorer and played a significant role in securing their first Test win