Kusal Mendis became the first Sri Lankan batter to score a century on his Test captaincy debut during the match against Pakistan on Wednesday. The 31-year-old reached 100 not out with a boundary off Razaullah in the third delivery of the 92nd over, sealing his place among an elite group of players who have made a century in their first match as Test captain.
Mendis took over the Sri Lankan Test captaincy last month, replacing Dhananjaya de Silva. His unbeaten hundred was a standout in a situation where Sri Lanka had been under pressure at 155 for 4 after 42 overs. He then forged a 249-run partnership for the fifth wicket, steering the team’s recovery and stabilising their innings.
This century put Mendis alongside prominent names in international cricket. He became the 37th cricketer overall to score a hundred on Test captaincy debut and only the second after former England captain Andrew Strauss to do so against Pakistan. Other notable players who began their captaincy careers with a century include Joe Root, Virat Kohli, and Steve Smith. Root scored 190 against South Africa at Lord’s in 2017, Kohli made 115 against Australia in 2014, and Smith hit 133 against India the same year.
The list also features legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Greg Chappell, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, and Shubman Gill, who scored 147 against England at Leeds in 2025. South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder holds the record for the highest century on captaincy debut with an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, also in 2025.
Mendis’ innings not only marked a milestone in his captaincy career but also helped him cross 13,000 international runs across formats. He joined a select group as only the eighth Sri Lankan batter to reach this figure. The leading run-scorer in Sri Lankan international cricket remains Kumar Sangakkara, with 27,757 runs from 587 matches between 2000 and 2015. Mahela Jayawardene is second with 25,688 runs, and Sanath Jayasuriya third with 20,966.
The century came at a time when Sri Lanka needed a steady hand to rebuild their innings after early setbacks. Mendis displayed patience and control throughout, balancing aggression and defence to keep Pakistan’s bowlers at bay.
Mendis’ achievement has drawn attention for its rarity and significance in Sri Lankan cricket history. His role in the recovery partnership demonstrated his ability to manage pressure and lead from the front. The unbeaten hundred on captaincy debut is a rare feat, adding a significant chapter to his career and Sri Lanka’s Test record.
The match is ongoing, with Mendis still at the crease, continuing to guide Sri Lanka’s innings. The team and fans will be watching closely to see how his leadership shapes the remainder of the contest.
According to Yahoo Sports.
