JuicyTalk
Sri Lanka are facing off against Bangladesh in the third and final ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. With the series level at 1-1, this encounter has taken the shape of a do-or-die battle for both teams. Sri Lanka had drawn first blood by winning the opening ODI, but the visitors roared back in style to clinch the second game, setting up a thrilling decider. Amidst the pressure and high expectations, it was Kusal Mendis who stood tall and delivered a captain’s knock when it mattered the most.
Kusal Mendis dazzles with sixth ODI century
Mendis played a gem of an innings under pressure, bringing up his sixth century in One Day Internationals. The moment came on the final delivery of the 38th over bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. With an elegant drive to long-on for a single, Mendis reached the milestone and was met with a deafening cheer from the Colombo crowd. He raised his bat, took off his helmet, and let out a roar of relief and pride. The Sri Lankan dressing room erupted with applause, acknowledging the significance of the knock in a high-stakes match.
His innings was marked by composure, crisp strokeplay, and smart rotation of strike. Coming in at a crucial juncture, Mendis anchored the innings beautifully and ensured the momentum stayed with Sri Lanka. This century will undoubtedly go down as one of his finest, given the occasion and the pressure surrounding the series decider.
Here’s how fans reacted:
6th odi 100 for kusal Mendis #SLvBAN
— Nishan Thaya (@NishanThaya) July 8, 2025
Excellent hundred this by Kusal Mendis . Very well played #SLvBAN
— Cricket Tamizhan (@CricketTamizhan) July 8, 2025
Big 100 for Kusal Mendis.
95 Ball knock with 16 boundaries.#SLvsBAN pic.twitter.com/rOpS301Gzd
— Prasanna Rodrigo (@Prasanrod) July 8, 2025
Kusal Mendis 🫡👌 💯 #SLvBAN
— Thamaru. (@Tikiri_) July 8, 2025
Kusal Mendis brings up another fine century in ODIs for Sri Lanka.#SLvBAN
— IPL (@WatchIPLvideos) July 8, 2025
After ages Kusal Mendis hits a Hundred 💯 👌
Well played man #SLVBAN— salman (@salman_latheef) July 8, 2025
– 45 in first ODI.
– 56 in Second ODI.
– Hundred in Third ODI.16th INTERNATIONAL HUNDRED FOR KUSAL MENDIS – THE STAR OF SRI LANKAN BATTING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/U9W7JdbtqL
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 8, 2025
6th ODI Century for 🇱🇰🏏 Kusal Mendis
2nd ODI Century vs Bangladesh
5th ODI Century in Sri Lanka#sportspavilionlk #danushkaaravinda #SLvBAN #SLvsBAN pic.twitter.com/1tdLOsZbUN— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) July 8, 2025
https://twitter.com/RazanAhamed6/status/1942553164659716350
Kusal Mendis scored his 6th ODI Century while playing against Bangladesh in the 3rd ODI in Pallekele Kandy pic.twitter.com/ncN7KhcToW
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) July 8, 2025
Excellent 💯 from Kusal Mendis. He is in ominous touch. Boy, he is a treat to watch. #SLvBAN
— Nirthanan (@nirthanan) July 8, 2025
Kusal Mendis brought up his 💯 in just 95 ball, showcasing his ability to rotate strike and punish the bad balls with finesse. A perfect mix of patience and aggression. #SLvBAN
— Naleem Hassim 🇱🇰 (@JoeHassy) July 8, 2025
Thalaivan kusal Mendis On fire 🔥🔥
Well deserved century 💯🔥— Alone Boy 2.0 (@LB__45) July 8, 2025
Charith Asalanka, the under-rated world class No. 5 ODI batter, appreciation tweet. Also, Kusal Mendis has come a long way in being consistent as a white ball batter in last 2 years.
— Sam Roy (@SamRoy84) July 8, 2025
6️⃣th ODI hundred for Kusal Mendis 🌟💯#CricketTwitter #KusalMendis #SLvsBAN #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/vnDCwgyypG
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 8, 2025
He scored 45 off 43 in the 1st ODI, followed it up with a quickfire 56 off 31 in the 2nd, and then brought up a brilliant century off 95 balls in the 3rd ODI.
Kusal Mendis 🔥
#SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/8EGSowmUKJ
— Afkhan AH 😎 (@Afhn27) July 8, 2025
CENTURY ALERT! 💯✌️
Kusal Mendis brings up his 6th ODI ton in style against Bangladesh in the 3rd ODI at Pallekele! Pure class!! 🏏#KusalMendis #SLvBAN #SriLankaCricket pic.twitter.com/VnqMosTwWM
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 8, 2025
Also READ: Dasun Shanaka returns as Sri Lanka name 17-member squad for T20I series against Bangladesh
Sri Lanka eyeing a commanding total
At the end of the 41st over, Sri Lanka were cruising at 225 for 4, with Mendis holding one end firmly. The solid platform laid by the top order, bolstered by Mendis’ brilliance, has put the hosts in a strong position to post a daunting total. With handy batters like Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga still to come, Sri Lanka will look to capitalize in the final overs and push their score beyond 300.
Also READ: Najmul Hossain Shanto axed as Bangladesh name squad for T20I series against Sri Lanka
