World Cup 2023 | Sri Lanka's Trump Card - Kusal Mendis

Sai

image-lnan634cKusal Mendis played a blinder of a knock against Bangladesh in the practice match against Afghanistan (Source: AP Photos)

Kusal Mendis is certainly a player to keep a close eye on within the Sri Lankan team during the 2023 World Cup. His consistent form over the past few years and his stellar performance as the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded Asia Cup have established him as a linchpin of the Sri Lankan batting line-up. Sri Lanka will heavily rely on Mendis to provide crucial runs, and the conditions in India are well-suited to his style of play.

Mendis, who also serves as a wicket-keeper batsman, brings versatility to the team. His proficiency in dealing with spinners is particularly noteworthy, and this skill will be invaluable in the subcontinent conditions. He has the ability to adapt to different situations and anchor the innings or play aggressively when required. 

Mendis, who also serves as a wicket-keeper batsman, brings versatility to the team. His proficiency in dealing with spinners is particularly noteworthy, and this skill will be invaluable in the subcontinent conditions. Mendis has the ability to adapt to different situations and anchor the innings or play aggressively when required.


Unleashing Mendis: Sri Lanka's Key to Cricketing Success

image-lnahrp5lOvers-wise Runs & Average Analysis in 2023 ODIs

Kusal Mendis' preferred batting position at No. 3 aligns perfectly with his strengths in ODI cricket, where he has amassed the majority of his runs. His performance statistics reveal an interesting pattern based on the phase of his innings, shedding light on his adaptability and areas where he excels.

When Mendis bats after the first 10 overs, his numbers are indeed staggering, showcasing his ability to consolidate and accelerate as the innings progress. Let's delve into his statistics for different batting phases this year:

In the 11-15 over period, across 7 innings, Mendis has been exceptional. He has scored 65 runs while being dismissed only once, resulting in an impressive average of 65. His ability to rotate the strike is evident, with a dot ball percentage of only 49.4%. Similarly, during the 21-25 over phase, Mendis has excelled. 

In 7 innings, he has scored 92 runs, again being dismissed only once, resulting in a remarkable average of 92. His prowess in building partnerships and capitalizing on the middle overs is evident. However, the contrasting statistics emerge when Mendis bats in the early phases of the innings. 

When coming in during the 1-5 overs, he has faced challenges. In 11 innings, he has scored 41 runs while being dismissed thrice, resulting in a modest average of 13 and a strike rate of 41. Likewise, between the 6-10 overs, he has faced difficulties. In 12 innings, he has scored 61 runs but has been dismissed 7 times, leading to a poor average of 8 and a strike rate of 58.


Conclusion

These statistics underscore Mendis' proficiency in consolidating and accelerating innings once the powerplay phase has concluded. He faces challenges when the ball is new but thrives in the middle phase, where he can construct innings and provide stability to the Sri Lankan batting order. Kusal Mendis' performance will play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's success in the 2023 World Cup. 

Sri Lanka's fortunes in the tournament are likely to be closely tied to how well Mendis performs. If he can replicate his success in the middle overs and maintain consistency, he can provide the stability and run-scoring ability that the team needs. Mendis' adaptability and composure under pressure make him a player to watch, and his contributions will be instrumental in determining Sri Lanka's journey in the 2023 World Cup.