Kamindu Mendis named by ICC as the Men’s Emerging Cricket of the Year
Kamindu Mendis has been awarded the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2024, following a remarkable year in international cricket. The 25-year-old, who was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹75 lakh in the IPL 2025 mega auction, accumulated 1,451 runs across all formats with an impressive average exceeding 50.
Mendis made a significant impact in Test cricket, scoring 1,049 runs in nine matches at an outstanding average of 74.92, including five centuries. His standout performance came against New Zealand, where he scored an unbeaten 182 in Galle. This feat made him one of only six players to surpass 1,000 runs in a calendar year.
Despite Sri Lanka’s failure to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship Final, Mendis consistently excelled and became a vital asset for his team. He is only the second Sri Lankan to receive this honor, following AjanthaMendis in 2008. Alongside nominees Gus Atkinson, SaimAyub, and Shamar Joseph, Mendis’s achievements reflect his potential as a future star in international cricket.