Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis has been named the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024. The 26-year-old batting star stood out with remarkable performances across formats, cementing his place as one of the year’s brightest talents.
Since his Test debut in mid-2022, Mendis has made significant contributions to Sri Lankan cricket. In 2024, he scored over 1,000 runs in Tests, finishing as the fifth-highest run-scorer of the year. His stellar performances earned him a spot in the ICC Test Team of the Year alongside legends like Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Mendis faced tough competition for the Emerging Cricketer title; however, he managed to beat Pakistan’s Saim Ayub, England’s Gus Atkinson, and West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph. Over the course of 38 innings in 34 matches for Sri Lanka, the left-handed middle-order batter impressively amassed 1,458 runs at an average of 47.03. Furthermore, his tally included five centuries and five half-centuries, showcasing his consistency and ability to perform under pressure.
Notably, Mendis achieved an extraordinary average of 74.92 in Tests, the highest among all cricketers in 2024 with over 500 runs. He also joined the late Don Bradman as the joint-third fastest batter to reach 1,000 Test runs.
Among his standout performances was a gritty 113 on a challenging Old Trafford pitch against England in August 2024. The following month, he produced his career-best score of 182* against New Zealand in Galle, showcasing his skill and temperament.
Mendis’s exceptional year has solidified his reputation as a future star for Sri Lanka, and his ICC award underscores his growing impact on international cricket.
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