Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis on Wednesday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Mendis last played his international cricket for Sri Lanka on December 26, 2015, against New Zealand in Christchurch.
Earlier, Mendis made his arrival on the world stage with a spell of 6/13 against India in the Asia Cup 2008 final, with his mystery balls. Later in the same year, he picked up 28 wickets in a three-Test series.
Further, Mendis was recorded as the fastest ever to make 50 ODI wickets and was the only bowler to take 6-wicket-hauls in T20s twice. And He was named as the only bowler in the sport’s history who have picked 6-wicket-hauls in all the 3 formats of the game.
Former Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews took to Twitter to congratulate Mendis for his international career and wrote: “Congratulations menda on a short but great career. Unfortunately, injuries kept u away but God is kind and will open plenty of avenues to you. Stay blessed,”
Congratulations menda on a short but great career.Unfortunately injuries kept u away but god is kind and will open plenty of avenues to you. Stay blessed brotha pic.twitter.com/ikbrmRjPg9
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) August 28, 2019
Mendis was Sri Lanka’s leading spinner during their 2009 and 2012 T20 World Cup campaigns but later on, he has seen many ups and downs in his short career.
In all, Mendis played 19 Tests taking 70 wickets at an average of 34.77 and 87 ODIs picking 152 scalps while also getting 66 wickets in 39 T20Is. Mendis continued to be a part of Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket but his bowling reserves have been down the line that he has been primarily with the batting in the recent matches.
However, Mendis was the one who has given a number of top batsmen a few sleepless nights at the peak of his career.
Ajantha Mendis the inventor of the carrom ball, has called it a day from all cricket. He was a unique cricketer and likeable personality. Have a happy retired life!
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) August 28, 2019
🚨 JUST IN 🚨
Ajantha Mendis has retired from all forms of cricket!
The Sri Lankan spinner took 288 wickets for his country across the three formats. pic.twitter.com/ZwABGqvRWf
— ICC (@ICC) August 28, 2019
