KL Rahul vs Kusal Mendis: Dissecting two upcoming stars

The memorable knocks

Rahul's ability to be positive at the wicket makes him a vital component of India's batting

KL Rahul was known as a proper Test batsman until he lit up the 2016 IPL with mesmerising performances at no.4. He finished the season as RCB's third highest run scorer behind Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. The performance put him in the frame for limited-overs cricket and a debut hundred sealed his spot. He also cracked a hundred in a T20 against West Indies, making him the third India player after Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma to score hundreds in all three formats.

However, Rahul would like to remember his Sydney hundred in just his second Test as one of his best knocks. Scrutinised after his single-digit scores of 3 and 1 on debut, Rahul switched roles to open the innings and cracked one of the finest hundreds by an Indian opener on Australian soil. He once again revelled in the longer format of the game when England toured India, smashing 199 against the visitors in Chennai in the final Test.

Mendis, on the hand, also mustered his best knock against the Aussies. A terrific 176 by the young star at Pallekele gave Sri Lanka their second Test win over Australia. Mendis became the youngest to score a Test hundred against Australia in the process.

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

He underlined his talent once again in the recently concluded Champions Trophy by adding a match turning 159 run stand with Danushka Gunathilaka at The Oval against India. Chasing 322 for victory, Mendis and Gunathilaka ensured it was the highest successful run chase in the Champions Trophy.