Ajantha Mendes’ early success was built as much on his variations - off-breaks, top spinners, carrom balls, googlies, ones that did nothing - as it was on accuracy.
Mendis continues to be an effective spinner in shorter formats where batsmen don't have much time to adjust.
Mendis has twice set the record for best figures in a Twenty20 International.
On August 8, 2011, he took six wickets for 16 runs in the second Twenty20 international against Australia, becoming the first bowler to take six wickets in a Twenty20 international, and surpassing Umar Gul's five wickets for six runs recorded against New Zealand in 2009.
The following year, on September 18, 2012, in the opening match of the6 2012 ICC World Twenty20 against Zimbabwe, Mendis bettered this record by taking six wickets for eight runs. To date, Mendis is the only bowler to take six-wicket hauls in Two Twenty20 internationals.
Career statistics (2007-present)
Full name: Balapuwaduge Ajantha Winslow Mendis
Born: March 11, 1985, Moratuwa (35)
Major teams: Sri Lanka, Combined Provinces, Dhaka Gladiators, Hampshire, Kandurata Maroons, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lahore Qalandars, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Pune Warriors, Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Board President's XI, Wayamba
Playing role: Bowler
Bowling style: Right-arm off-break
T20I Career
Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
39 39 885 952 66 6/8 6/8 14.42 6.45 13.4 3 2 0
T20 Career
Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
129 128 2767 3230 170 6/8 6/8 19.00 7.00 16.2 5 2 0
Career highlights
- 10th all-time T20I wicket-taker, 66 in 39 matches at 14.42
- 4th most T20 WC scalps, 35 in 21 matches at 15.02
- Fastest player to 50 T20I wickets (26 matches)
- The only man to boast a 6 wkt haul at a T20 WC (6/8)
- 170 T20 wickets captured at 19.00