Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh 2017: 1st Test, 5 Talking Points

#2 Kusal Mendis is the future

Mendis played an outstanding innings to help Lanka post a good first innings total

Sri Lanka had been in dire need of batting heroes after the retirement of Kumara Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena and Tillakaratne Dilshan. They seemed to have found a couple in Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva after the Australian series.

But the failure of the duo in South Africa brought back question marks. Mendis, however, silenced his critics with a sensational 194 in the first innings that set up a winning total for the Lankans. He showed great temperament and impeccable judgement outside his off-stump to register a magnificent ton.

Although he managed just 19 in the second innings, Sri Lanka know that they have unearthed a gem in Mendis. An attacking batsman of the modern era, Mendis knows to play the defensive game as well and is a great addition to a young Lankan side.