'Thought I was hallucinating': Fans go berserk over Sri Lankan bowler Kamindu Mendis' ambidextrous bowling

By Sunita Iyer | First Published Jul 28, 2024, 9:32 AM IST

Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis showcased his ambidextrous bowling skills by bowling left-handed against Suryakumar Yadav and switching to his right hand when facing Rishabh Pant.

India kicked off the three-match T20I series with a thrilling 43-run victory over Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday. This match marked the beginning of the Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav era, with Suryakumar Yadav leading from the front, scoring a rapid 58 off 26 balls. India set a formidable target of 213 for 7 and subsequently bowled out Sri Lanka for 170 in 19.2 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

A 43-run victory in the first T20I! 🙌 take a 1-0 lead in the series 👏👏

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Ccm4ubmWnj pic.twitter.com/zZ9b1TocAf

— BCCI (@BCCI)

For leading from the front with the bat, Captain Suryakumar Yadav becomes the Player of the Match 🏆👏

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Ccm4ubmWnj… | pic.twitter.com/s2LGOFsrsw

— BCCI (@BCCI)

We've kicked off our away tour with a commanding victory! 💪, your innings was played with remarkable authority ~ what an outstanding fifty. 🙌 Captaincy is looking good on you! 🤩

A special mention to for a stellar start in his role as head coach… pic.twitter.com/v7OWiOePcx

— Jay Shah (@JayShah)

A standout moment of the match was the unique display of ambidextrous bowling by Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis. The spinner captivated the audience by switching his bowling arm within the same over, a rare occurrence in international cricket.

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Mendis showcased his ambidextrous bowling skills by bowling left-handed against Suryakumar Yadav and switching to his right hand when facing Rishabh Pant. This remarkable talent impressed fans and sparked curiosity, along with questions about the regulations surrounding such unique abilities.

The talented Kamindu Mendis bowling left arm and right arm pic.twitter.com/uyEL4nwJfj

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket)

What does the rules say:

21.1.1: The umpire must ascertain whether the bowler intends to bowl right-handed or left-handed, over or around the wicket, and must inform the striker.

If the bowler fails to notify the umpire of a change in the mode of delivery, it is considered unfair, and the umpire will call and signal a no-ball.

Mendis bowled just one over in the match, giving away nine runs. He took the ball for the 10th over of the Indian innings, with Suryakumar hitting a four off his first delivery by lofting it over extra cover. Despite this, Mendis kept the batsmen in check, conceding only five singles in the next five balls.

Fans flocked to social media to express their amazement and admiration for Mendis's ambidextrous talent. His ability to bowl with both hands brings a captivating element to the game and highlights the evolving skills of modern cricketers.

Here’s what fans shared on social media about Mendis’s unique abilities:

I just saw this bowler Kamindu Mendis bowling from both arms in an international match.
At first, I thought I was hallucinating... pic.twitter.com/rIuSyOUdF6

— Asur (@IdleSid)

Kamindu Mendis bowling left arm to Suryakumar Yadav and right arm to Rishabh Pant. 😄👌 pic.twitter.com/ZBBvEbfQpS

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)

Before Kamindu Mendis, there was Hashan Tilakaratne. And before him, there was Hanif Mohammad too apparently but no footage exists of his ambidexterity. pic.twitter.com/rqTDgalAIo

— TheRandomCricketPhotosGuy (@RandomCricketP1)

Kamindu Mendis is bowling left-arm spin to Surya Kumar Yadav and right-arm spin to Rishabh Pant 🇮🇳🤯

I have never seen anything like this in cricket before 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/r97oRKve6Y

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan)

Ambidextrous Bowler Kamindu Mendis 🤯

What next innovative things are we gonna see in cricket next !? pic.twitter.com/J68YbUHIFy

— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri)

Kamindu Mendis bowls left arm bowling to Suryakumar Yadav and right arm bowling to Rishabh Pant. pic.twitter.com/zs8ccM0pww

— KingNation🤡 (@NationKing18)

Kamindu Mendis bowling left arm to Suryakumar Yadav and right arm to Rishabh Pant. 😄👌 pic.twitter.com/vi6umc7aF5

— Mememagnet (@mememagnet45)

Kamindu Mendis bowling style 😂
Left arm to Surya Kumar Yadav
Right arm to Rishab Pant
What a funny bowling Sri Lankan pic.twitter.com/U34cmSPqFG

— Sksportsmania🏏 (@khansalman88177)

First Ambidextrous bowler to play International cricket in recent times...
Probably the first ever...

Kamindu Mendis bowling left arm to Suryakumar Yadav and right arm to Rishabh Pant.

Cricket is evolving well! pic.twitter.com/RGuE24pd9X

— Vinay Kumar Dokania (@VinayDokania)

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