Kusal Mendis continued his blistering form, smashing a stunning century in the SL vs BAN 3rd ODI on Tuesday. The 30-year-old stitched vital partnership with Charith Asalanka to put the hosts on top in the series decider. Mendis’ century comes after he coped some criticism from batting coach Thilina Kandamby after his performances earlier in the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh series.
CENTURY ALERT! Kusal Mendis brings up his 6th ODI ton in style against Bangladesh in the 3rd ODI at Pallekele! Pure class!! #KusalMendis #SLvBAN #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/VnqMosTwWM
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) July 8, 2025Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat at Pallekele but lost Nishan Madushka in just the 5th over of the innings. Kusal Mendis walked in and looked set from the get go. He paced his innings well, with a half-century partnership with Pathum Nissanka. However, his job got tougher as the hosts slipped to 100-3 with 29 overs still to play.
He joined forces with captain Charith Asalanka to set up a grand finish for Sri Lanka. Mendis batted at a fair clip, with boundaries at regular intervals. He eventually reached his hundred in 95 deliveries continuing his fine form in the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh series. He now has the second most runs for a Sri Lankan batter against Bangladesh across all formats, behind only Kumar Sangakkara.
Most international runs for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh
Kumar Sangakkara – 3090 Kusal Mendis – 2032 TM Dilshan – 1903 Mahela Jayawardene – 1723 Upul Tharanga – 1507Kusal Mendis scored 45 in the first ODI and followed it up with a 56 in the second ODI. The latter was achieved in just 20 balls, before the 30-year-old threw his wicket away. Sri Lanka eventually lost that game, with batting coach Thilina Kandamby asking Mendis to convert his starts.
“He gave us a cracking start in the first game and is an experienced player, and he has played lot of cricket. He has to understand that now, and he needs to convert those starts into hundreds. If he scores a hundred, we win 90 to 95% of our games. He knows that too. When you are in such good form, it’s a crime to throw away your wicket,” Kandamby said in his press conference.
If the SL vs BAN 3rd ODI is any indication, Mendis has taken aboard the criticism. He and Kandamby worked on rotating strike and other aspects of batting and the change was clear to see. The 30-year-old came into bat in the 6th over, and was still at the crease at the end of the 45th. Mendis took Sri Lanka past 250, and now will be eyeing a 300+ target in the series decider.
SL vs BAN 3rd ODI: Kusal Mendis responds to batting coach’s call, slams 6th ODI ton Inside Sport India.
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