Sri Lankan batters exhibited sheer dominance on Day 2 of the second Test match against New Zealand in Galle on Friday, September 27. At the forefront of this impressive display was Kamindu Mendis, who continued his outstanding form in red-ball cricket by scoring another century, thereby setting multiple Test records in the process.
Kamindu Mendis scored an unbeaten 182 runs off 250 balls, while his teammate Kusal Mendis also showcased his brilliant form by smashing 106* off 149 balls. Together, they propelled Sri Lanka to their highest-ever total against New Zealand in Test cricket, amassing a staggering 602 for 5. The Kiwis, on the other hand, ended the day on a precarious 22 for 2, having lost both their openers in the closing stages of play, and now face a daunting task to avoid a series defeat.
Kamindu, who is just playing his 8th Test match at the age of 25, made headlines by achieving a couple of remarkable milestones. He became the fastest Asian cricketer to register 5 Test centuries and to reach 1,000 Test runs. In the process, he eclipsed star Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had previously held the record for the fewest matches to 1,000 Test runs by an Asian cricketer.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, known for his meteoric rise in Test cricket in 2024, had reached 1,000 Test runs in just 9 matches. Kamindu didn’t just surpass Jaiswal but also went ahead of cricket legends like Everton Weekes, Herbert Sutcliffe, and George Headley in reaching this milestone. He is now second only to the legendary Don Bradman, who holds the record by reaching 1,000 Test runs in just 7 matches.
The left-handed Sri Lankan prodigy didn’t stop there. He also broke another significant Asian record for the most runs after 13 Test innings. Kamindu accumulated 1004 runs in his first 13 Test innings, breaking former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli’s nearly 30-year-old record, who had scored 965 runs in his first 13 Test innings.
As if this wasn’t enough, Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya de Silva decided to declare the innings right after Kamindu reached his 1,000 Test runs milestone with a remarkable six off Rachin Ravindra. Kusal Mendis also added another feather to his cap by registering his 10th Test century, contributing significantly to the team’s monumental total of 602 for 5, achieved in 163.
.4 overs.
Sri Lanka’s performance didn’t wane when it came to their bowling. In the closing stages of the day, Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed Devon Conway while Asitha Fernando got the better of Tom Latham, leaving New Zealand reeling at just 19 runs on the scoreboard. The umpires then called for stumps with New Zealand stranded at 22 for 2 in 14 overs, with Kane Williamson and Ajaz Patel tentatively holding on at the crease.
The day’s play was a testament to Sri Lanka’s all-round strength and resilience. The monumental total of 602 for 5 put immense pressure on the New Zealand side, who now have to perform exceptionally well to stay afloat in the series. The individual brilliance of players like Kamindu and Kusal Mendis underscores the depth of talent in the Sri Lankan team and their ability to perform under pressure.
The Galle International Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for Sri Lanka, and Day 2 of the second Test was no exception. It showcased a blend of aggressive batting, strategic declarations, and timely breakthroughs that pushed New Zealand on the back foot.
As cricket fans worldwide watched Kamindu Mendis’s extraordinary performance, comparisons to greats of the game inevitably flowed in. Kamindu’s ability to break long-standing records while still early in his career speaks volumes about his potential and the promising future that lies ahead.
Looking forward, New Zealand’s batsmen will need to put up a resilient fight to avoid an innings defeat. The task is formidable but not impossible, and cricket has always been a game of uncertainties. Only time will tell if New Zealand can muster the courage and skill to take on the Herculean total set by Sri Lanka or if Sri Lanka’s bowlers will continue their dominant run and claim a series victory.
With two days of cricket left, fans can expect more thrilling moments and possibly more records to be shattered as both teams vie for supremacy in this gripping Test match series.
