Kamindu Mendis creates history in IPL by bowling with both arms
Sri Lankan all-rounder Kamindu Mendis has created history on Thursday in the Indian Premier League. He became the first player ever in the tournament to switch his bowling arm during an over. He did this unique feat during the Sunrisers Hyderabad game against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
Mendis, who was brought into the attack in the 13th, bowled three deliveries of left-arm spin and three deliveries of off-spin. The Sri Lankan would also pick up the wicket of Angkrish Raghuvanshi off the fourth ball who scored 50 off 32 balls.
Mendis also contributed 27 runs with the bat. However, SRH, chasing 201 runs, capitulated for 120 runs in the end. This is the third defeat in a row for Hyderabad.
Earlier Venkatesh Iyer answered his critics with a match-winning 60 off 29 balls. Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s classy 50 (32b, 5×4, 2×6) in an 81-run stand with skipper Ajinkya Rahane (38 off 27) laid the foundation, while Iyer and Rinku Singh (32 not out off 17b) provided the late fireworks with a blistering 91-run partnership (41b) to lift KKR to 200/6 — their highest total of the season.
Seamer Vaibhav Arora set the tone by removing the dangerous Travis Head (4) and Ishan Kishan (2) in successive overs to return with impressive figures of 4-1-29-3.
Fastest Asian
Mendis is the fastest Asian batter and the joint-second quickest overall to record 1000 Test runs during the ongoing match against New Zealand in Galle.
Mendis waltzed to the mark in his 13th Test innings, surpassing the Asian record held by former India batter Vinod Kambli who reached the mark in 14 innings. Mendis also equalled Don Bradman as the second fastest batter to 1000 Test runs, only behind Everton Weekes and Herbert Sutcliffe who reached the mark in 12 innings.
