Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis has been named the Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2024 by the International Cricket Council (ICC), following a series of outstanding performances in the red-ball format.
Mendis, who scored a total of 1,451 runs across all formats at an average just above 50, has emerged as one of the standout players of 2024, sharing the spotlight with some of cricket’s biggest names.
Having made just one Test appearance for Sri Lanka before the year began, the 26-year-old left-handed batter has firmly established himself as a key player across formats. His ability to perform in high-pressure situations and moments of crisis has made him Sri Lanka’s go-to player in such scenarios.
A key figure in Sri Lanka’s pursuit of their maiden ICC World Test Championship Final spot, Mendis played several crucial innings throughout the year.
He became one of only six batters to surpass 1,000 Test runs in the calendar year, finishing with the highest average among them. Mendis hit five centuries and three fifties during his remarkable run, which included match-winning contributions in Test victories over New Zealand, Bangladesh, and England, both at home and abroad.
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In England, Mendis finished as Sri Lanka’s top run-scorer in a three-match Test series and played a vital role in securing their first Test win on English soil in a decade. His most memorable performance came in the second Test against New Zealand in Galle, where he scored a career-best 182 in the first innings.
This knock, which included 16 boundaries and four sixes off 250 balls, was central to Sri Lanka’s massive total of 602/5 and their 2-0 series sweep. Mendis was named Player of the Match for his stellar performance.
Additionally, Mendis became the joint-third fastest to reach 1,000 runs in Men’s Tests, equaling Sir Don Bradman’s record by achieving the milestone in just 13 innings.
Commenting on his award, Mendis said, “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.”
He added, “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 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.”
