By Srian Obeyesekere

Recognition has fast followed fame for young Kamindu Mendis, the youngest batsman to reach1000 Test runs in 75 years. The 27 year old’s elevation as Sri Lanka’s vice captain in all three formats comes just two years since Mendis’ historic feat by an unbeaten 182 versus New Zealand at Gallle on September 29, 2024 which put him in a rare elite hall of fame alongside the legendary Sir Donald Bradman in equalling the feat in 13 innings. The two of them are now third-equal fastest in Test history to the 1000 run milestone with only Herbert Sutcliffe and Everton Weekes having achieved the feat in 12 innings.
Indeed, the calling has come Kamindu’s way at a most decisive phase in Sri Lanka’s cricket in a sweeping overhaul from the administrative level downwards to reshaping the country’s cricket from a long turbulent period in the short white ball format.

This follows the appointment of an interim administration by way of a Restoration Committee by the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sunil Kumara Gamage for a system change in the cricket, administration and particularly a constitutional change in the voting system to electing office bearers to the cricket board while the concern for the change for the better by the cricketers has become as demanding.

In such an overall change that also saw a new selection committee headed by Kapila Wijegunawardene appointed by the Restoration Committee headed by Eran Wickramaratne in place of the Pramodya Wickremesinghe Committee that lasted very briefly, Kamndu Mendis has hit the spotlight as a potential torch bearer of the country’s cricket. His elevation covering all three formats is an apparent indication of the all-rounder with the unique trait of alternatively bowling with both hands being looked as a future heir to the throne.