Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis has been honored as the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2024, thanks to his outstanding performances in the red-ball format.
Mendis, who amassed an impressive 1,451 runs across all formats with an average exceeding 50, emerged as a standout player in 2024, shining alongside some of cricket’s biggest names.
Having started the year with just one Test cap, the left-handed batter quickly established himself as a key figure in Sri Lanka’s lineup across all formats. He became the team’s go-to player in high-pressure situations and critical matches.
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A cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s campaign for their maiden ICC World Test Championship Final spot, the 26-year-old delivered crucial innings throughout the year. He was one of only six batters to cross the 1,000-run milestone in Tests in 2024, and he led the pack with the highest average.
Mendis made the most of his opportunities, scoring five centuries and three fifties, cementing his status as a rising star in international cricket. His match-winning contributions helped Sri Lanka secure vital Test victories against New Zealand, Bangladesh, and England, both at home and abroad.
In England, Mendis finished as Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer in a three-Test series and played an instrumental role in their first Test win on English soil in a decade. Mendis’ most remarkable performance came in the second Test against New Zealand in Galle, where he achieved a career-best score in the longest format. His unbeaten 182 in the first innings was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s massive total of 602/5 and played a key role in their 2-0 series sweep.
The remarkable knock, which included 16 boundaries and four sixes off 250 balls, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Mendis also became the joint-third fastest to score 1000 runs in Men’s Tests, equaling Sir Don Bradman’s record of reaching the milestone in just 13 innings.
“Winning two ICC Player of the Month Awards in 2024, along with being named the ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year, fills me with immense joy and pride. These accolades are a testament to the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my game, with the unwavering support of my coaches, teammates, family, and friends,” said Mendis.
“Playing international cricket has always been a childhood dream, and having the chance to showcase my skills on such a platform is both an honour and a result of that relentless effort.
“Looking ahead, my goal is to continue building on my early performances on the international field and use it as a stepping stone to reach the highest level of excellence in the sport.
“I would also like to acknowledge the immense talent of my fellow nominees — Gus, Shamar, and Saim — all of whom are exceptional players.”
