Kamindu Mendis has etched his name in cricket history by becoming the fastest batter to reach 1000 Test runs in 75 years. Achieving this remarkable milestone, Mendis hit an unbeaten 182 during Sri Lanka's first innings against New Zealand in Galle. He reached the coveted mark in just 13 innings, matching the legendary Don Bradman’s pace. The two cricketers now stand third-equal fastest in Test history, trailing only Herbert Sutcliffe and Everton Weekes, who achieved this feat in a mere 12 innings each.

A historic knock

Mendis displayed his prowess with the bat, launching the offspin of Rachin Ravindra for a six that propelled him past the necessary score of 178, taking his career total to 1004 runs. What makes Mendis's achievement even more extraordinary is that 634 of his runs have come while batting at No. 7 or lower, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure from a lower-order position. In this innings, however, Mendis batted at No. 5, having moved up the order for this series.

His statistics are equally impressive; Mendis boasts an outstanding batting average of 91.27 and has maintained a strike rate of 65.02. Out of his 13 innings, he has crossed the half-century mark nine times, notched up five centuries, and recorded two scores over 150, with this latest innings of 182 not out marking his highest score.

Consistency across series

Mendis's achievement of scoring hundreds across three different series this year is noteworthy. He has hit centuries in Bangladesh, England, and now Sri Lanka, demonstrating his adaptability and consistency across various playing conditions. His performance at home is exceptional, but it is clear that he can handle the pressures of international cricket in different environments.

By reaching the milestone of 1000 runs in just 13 innings, Mendis has shattered the previous Sri Lanka record held by Roy Dias, who accomplished the feat in 23 innings. Last year, Yashasvi Jaiswal had also made headlines by becoming the fastest batter of the 21st century to reach 1000 runs in 16 innings, underscoring the significance of Mendis's achievement.

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As Sri Lanka capitalized on Mendis's historic innings, the team found itself in a commanding position in the Galle Test. Alongside Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis also contributed centuries, further solidifying Sri Lanka's dominance in the match. Mendis's performance not only highlights his individual brilliance but also signals his potential to be a cornerstone of Sri Lankan cricket in the years to come.