Balapuwaduge Manukulasuriya Amith Jeevan Mendis, popularly known as Jeevan Mendis, is a professional cricket player from Sri Lanka. Born on March 15, 1983, in Colombo, Mendis hails from a cricketing family with his father Jagath and brother Tharindu also being involved in the sport.
Mendis exhibited immense talent from a young age and quickly made a name for himself in the cricketing world. As a youth cricketer, he achieved remarkable success, winning several prestigious awards. In 2001, Mendis was honored with the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year award, acknowledging his remarkable performances on the field. He also earned the Man-of-the-Tournament awards in both the Under-17 Asia Cup in Pakistan and the 2001 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. Notably, during the U-19 World Cup, he delivered a record-breaking bowling spell of 7 for 19 against Zimbabwe, further cementing his reputation as an exceptional young talent.
However, despite his early achievements, Mendis faced challenges in securing opportunities to demonstrate his skills at the senior level. During his six-year tenure with SSC, he rarely had the chance to showcase his leg spinners. Nevertheless, his move to Tamil Union in 2008-09 proved to be a turning point in his career. Representing Tamil Union, Mendis capitalized on the opportunities presented to him and displayed his all-round abilities.
In the recent domestic season, Mendis played a significant role in Tamil Union’s success, contributing immensely with both bat and ball. His outstanding performances earned him the Man-of-the-Tournament and Man-of-the-Final awards in the Premier limited-overs championship. Throughout the season, he scored an impressive tally of 450 runs and took 26 wickets. In the Premier League, he accumulated 600 runs and captured 36 wickets, which crowned him the Player-of-the-Tournament once again. This achievement underscored his versatility as a cricketer, proving his suitability across all formats of the game.
Originally a top-order batsman, usually placed at No. 3 or 4, Mendis honed his spin bowling skills under the guidance of national spin bowling coach Piyal Wijetunge. His unique grip on the ball makes it challenging for batsmen to read his leg spin or googly, adding an additional element to his game. Moreover, Mendis is known for his exceptional fielding abilities, further enhancing his value as a player.
With an unwavering ambition to represent his country, Mendis believes he is at his peak and sees his selection to the Sri Lanka A team for the upcoming tri-nation series against Canada and Holland as a significant step towards realizing his lifelong dream. He aims to continue making significant contributions to his team’s success while further honing his skills to establish himself as a formidable force in international cricket.
As of January 2010, Jeevan Mendis continues to be a highly promising player, capable of achieving great heights in the world of cricket. With his talent, dedication, and passion for the sport, Mendis has the potential to leave an indelible mark on the Sri Lankan cricketing landscape.
