Kamindu's guiding principle behind his remarkable average of 92.16 is simple: "Stay calm and make every limited opportunity count." The experience he gained while travelling with the squad significantly contributed to his performance when he returned to the team.
In his second innings against England in Manchester, Kamindu Mendis scored 113 runs, bringing his batting average to an impressive 92.16—the second-highest in Test history for players with over 500 runs. Ahead of Thursday's second Test at Lord's, he attributed his success to a straightforward approach: "Focus on the fundamentals and remain composed."
Kamindu made his Test debut against Australia two years ago, stepping in for Dhananjaya de Silva, who tested positive for Covid-19. He scored 61 runs in that match, but then had to wait for another chance to play. This year, he returned to the team and notably scored two centuries against Bangladesh in Sylhet.
"I was aware that the batting lineup was strong, so my goal was to make the most of the opportunity I had," Kamindu reflected on Tuesday. "After that, I had to leave the team again, but I don't consider it a mistake. Team balance requires tough decisions, and I was included only because Dhananjaya had COVID-19. When he returned, it was justifiable for me to make way."
During his two-year hiatus, Kamindu remained engaged with the squad, which he found invaluable. "Even though I wasn't playing, I travelled with the team on nearly every tour," he explained. "Being on those tours with seasoned players greatly contributed to my performance in my early innings."
In the first innings against England, he scored just 12 runs as he edged Chris Woakes behind him. However, in the second innings, he thrived with 113 runs, forming crucial partnerships of 78 and 117 with Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, respectively. "I struggled with my scoring in the first innings due to challenging conditions," he noted. "It was colder than we anticipated, and we did our best as a team."
He praised his teammates for their support during his innings, particularly highlighting Dinesh Chandimal's efforts while nursing a finger injury. "Chandi Aiya played an essential role in our team's success by scoring runs, and his experience helped me reach my hundred. The advice they gave me in the middle was invaluable."
Kamindu emphasised a straightforward philosophy guiding his batting: "I focus on the basics and try to stay relaxed at the crease." He downplayed questions surrounding his batting average, stating, "My main objective is to contribute to the team in whatever capacity I can, whether through batting, bowling, or fielding."
This is Kamindu's first trip to England, and he expressed excitement about fulfilling a long-held dream: "Since childhood, I've dreamed of playing a Test match at Lord's," he revealed. "It's not just my aspiration; every player aims for that milestone. Now that I've reached it, winning this match would mean even more to us."