Meet Kamindu Mendis, the IPL history-maker who bowled with both arms – Firstpost

A new Indian Premier League (IPL) record was set on Thursday when Sri Lankan spin all-rounder Kamindu Mendis switched bowling arms during the same over. Kamindu Mendis was making his debut in the IPL on Thursday, playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Eden Gardens.

He was called upon to bowl in the 13th over of the first innings as Kolkata went on to score 200/6 and win by 80 runs. Kamindu, however, had a brilliant over, giving away just four runs and taking the wicket of half-centurion Angkrish Raghuvanshi.

Kamindu Mendis sets IPL record with rare bowling actions

Kamindu bowled left-arm spin on the first three balls before switching to off-spin. He took the wicket on the fourth ball. Switching arms in between the over did not seem to bother Kamindu much as he bowled a tight line.

One would remember that Kamindu had bowled with both arms in the same over against India as well last year in a T20I.

Was Kamindu’s bowling legal?

While it’s legal for a bowler to switch arms during an over, a lot also depends on the umpire. A stubborn official could force the bowler to inform him before each switch. On Thursday, however, Kamindu Mendis didn’t appear to face such scrutiny.

One reason the umpire did not object could also be that Mendis consistently bowled left-arm to right-handers and right-arm to left-handers, making his intentions predictable and reducing the need for constant declarations.

Left Right
Right Left
Confused?

That’s what Kamindu Mendis causes in the minds of batters

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Apart from Kamindu, the last known instance of ambidextrous bowling at the international level also came from a Sri Lankan — Hashan Tillakaratne. He scripted an over of ambidextrous bowling against Kenya during the 1996 World Cup.

Who is Kamindu Mendis?

Even before Tillakaratne, Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad — primarily an off-spinner — famously bowled left-arm spin when Gary Sobers scored 365 in Jamaica.

Kamindu, meanwhile, has made a name for himself in Test cricket, scoring 1184 runs in just 12 matches at an average of 62.31. He has smashed five centuries already with his highest score being 182 not out.

He has only scored 734 runs across 42 white-ball matches in international cricket. Kamindu is also not a regular bowler, taking just seven wickets for Sri Lanka.