Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis played a crucial role in the third and final Twenty20 international cricket match against the West Indies at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on Thursday. Mendis' unbeaten 68 helped secure Sri Lanka's first T20 international series victory over the West Indies with a commanding nine-wicket win.
Sri Lanka successfully chased down their 163-run target with 12 balls remaining, causing a sell-out home crowd in Dambulla to erupt in celebration. Mendis, who hit five fours and three sixes, expressed his happiness at getting the team over the line. He noted that the pitch was challenging but conditions that the team was accustomed to playing in.
The West Indies had a chance to dismiss Mendis when he was on 44, but Roston Chase failed to hold on to a difficult return catch. Mendis and fellow opener Pathum Nissanka combined for 60 runs in just 5.2 overs. Nissanka, in excellent form, contributed 39 from 22 deliveries, including seven fours and a six, before a low delivery from Gudakesh Motie ended his innings. Mendis continued his composed knock, effortlessly driving the spinners through the covers and pulling the seamers with authority.
He was joined by Kusal Perera, whose unbeaten 55 off 36 balls demonstrated his resilience as he battled cramps to reach his 15th T20I half-century. Together, Mendis and Perera formed an unbroken 106-run partnership, guiding Sri Lanka to a significant victory over the higher-ranked tourists. The West Indies chose to bat and recovered from a shaky start that left them 68-5 with a 54-run stand off 26 balls between skipper Rovman Powell and Motie.
Motie's aggressive batting, including three consecutive sixes and a four in the 15th over, ended when Mendis stumped him off Wanindu Hasaranga. Sri Lanka relied heavily on their spin attack, with Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga each claiming two wickets. Powell acknowledged that Sri Lankan spinners outplayed them, recognizing that spin was a key factor in the match.
The West Indies won the series opener by five wickets, but Sri Lanka responded with a commanding 73-run victory in the second game. This series win caps a strong three months for Sri Lanka under new head coach Sanath Jayasuriya. The team ended a 27-year drought by winning an ODI series against India in July and secured a Test victory in England for the first time in a decade. Earlier this month, they swept a two-Test series at home against New Zealand, their first series win over the Kiwis in 15 years.
