New Delhi: Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. The 34-year old, who made his debut for Sri Lanka in 2008 and last played in international cricket in 2015, took 288 wickets for his country across the three formats.
Famous for his ‘carrom ball’, Mendis snapped 70 wickets in 19 Tests, 152 in 87 ODIs and 66 in 39 T20Is but he couldn’t prolong his career due to injuries and loss of form. Former Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews took to twitter to congratulate Mendis for his international career. “Congratulations menda on a short but great career. Unfortunately, injuries kept u away but God is kind and will open plenty of avenues to you. Stay blessed.’
Mendis, who last featured in an ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch, had become the fastest bowler to reach 50 ODI wickets and is the only bowler to take a six-wicket haul in T20Is twice.
The 34-year-old had burst on to the scene at the Asia Cup when he took six for 13 as Sri Lanka notched up a 100-run win against India in the final in 2008. He received a Test call-up against India the same year and picked up 26 wickets in a three-Test series at home which Sri Lanka won 2-1.