Kamindu Mendis Nears Bradman Record with Another Century Against New Zealand

Kamindu Mendis continues to make waves in Test cricket, hitting his fourth century on day one of the first Test against New Zealand in Galle. The 25-year-old left-hander played a crucial knock, scoring 114 off 171 balls, pulling Sri Lanka to 302-7 at the close of play.

Mendis has been in sensational form since his debut, having already notched a hundred and two fifties in his recent series against England. His latest century brings his tally to four in just seven Tests, alongside eight scores of 50 or more in his first 11 innings. Remarkably, his current batting average of 80.90 puts him second only to the legendary Sir Don Bradman, whose record average of 99.94 still stands as the benchmark for players with at least 10 Test innings.

Should Mendis score another 50+ in the second innings, he would match India great Sunil Gavaskar’s record of nine scores of 50 or more in the first seven Test matches—a feat unmatched by most. Only three players—Bradman and West Indies legends George Headley and Everton Weekes—have scored five centuries in their first seven Tests, giving Mendis a shot at joining this exclusive club.

Mendis’s stellar form has drawn comparisons to England’s Harry Brook, who similarly hit four hundreds in his first six Tests following his debut in 2022. With records falling left and right, Kamindu Mendis is solidifying his place as one of cricket’s brightest emerging stars.