5 players who can be in Sri Lanka's leadership nucleus

#4 Kusal Mendis

Mendis has scored 1106 runs from 16 Tests

The youngster, having made his Test debut in 2015, before playing a Limited Overs International, impressed the fans and pundits alike in his short stint. In 16 Tests, the 22-year-old has added 1106 runs and in ODIs the right-hander has made 1087 runs in 33 matches.

Last year, after Mendis’s stupendous knock against Australia, Mathews had this to say for the youngster: "He's going to be a big player for us. He's going to be the future of our batting. If he keeps going like this he will do wonders for the Sri Lanka team and I wish him all the very best.”

Mendis, even with his brief career so far, can be an integral part of the leadership nucleus.