Ajantha Mendis’ top 3 bowling performances in T20Is

Ajantha Mendis was one of the prime spinners for Sri Lanka around a decade ago. He was particularly effective in limited-overs cricket. The off-spinner was also an important part of the Sri Lankan team that played in the final of the 2012 T20 World Cup. It is time to revisit his top 3 bowling performances in T20I cricket. 

6/8 vs Zimbabwe, 2012

Ajantha Mendis kicked off the 2012 T20 World Cup in style. He delivered the best bowling performance in his T20 career in the opening match of the tournament, against Zimbabwe. The Chevrons were chasing an uphill target of 183 runs in the second innings. 

Zimbabwe started the run chase on a strong note but just before the powerplay ended, Mendis gave the first breakthrough. After that, it was a free fall for Zimbabwe that was orchestrated by Ajantha Mendis. He picked up 6 wickets and helped Sri Lanka wrap up the run chase for just 100 runs. 

6/16 vs Australia, 2011

The Australian team toured Sri Lanka in 2011 for a T20I series. In the second T20I at Pallekele they had to face the wrath of the mystery Sri Lankan spinner. Defending a tricky target of 158 runs, Ajantha Mendis delivered an outstanding bowling spell. 

He picked up 6 wickets and all of them at crucial junctures which prevented Australia from chasing the target. Eventually, Sri Lanka managed to pull off a thrilling victory by 8 runs and the main architect of this victory was Ajantha Mendis.

4/12 vs West Indies, 2012

This is arguably the most important bowling performance in Mendis’ T20I career. He dismissed four West Indian batters in the final of the 2012 T20 World Cup to put Sri Lanka in a pole position at the end of the first innings. 

In his four overs, he conceded only 12 runs which strangled the West Indies batting unit and, in the end, they could only manage to score 137 runs. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka could not win the match and Ajantha Mendis’ extraordinary effort went in vain. 

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