Kusal Mendis joins Babar, Kohli after scoring a fifty against Australia

Scoring 51 against Australia, Sri Lanka batter Kusal Mendis is now part of a list that includes Babar Azam and Virat Kohli, as he becomes just the fifth batter to score three consecutive fifties in a T20 World Cup. Mendis is also the first batter to achieve the feat across three different World Cup editions (2022, 2024, and 2026).

Babar, KL, and Kohli

Previously, Babar and KL Rahul each hit three half-centuries during the 2021 T20 World Cup. Babar, who was the tournament’s highest run-scorer, also struck a fourth half-century against India, which was separated from his hat-trick of fifties by a nine-run knock against New Zealand.

On the other hand, Kohli completed the feat across two World Cups, 2016 and 2021. He hit two fifties in India’s last two games of the 2016 edition and another in their opening match of the 2021 tournament.

Mendis joins Jayawardene

Besides Australia, Oman and Ireland were also on the receiving end of Mendis’ run of fifties.

Before these batters, only Mahela Jayawardene had achieved the milestone, which he did in the 2010 T20 World Cup. Mendis joins the former Sri Lankan captain as the only other player from his country to do so.

Batters with three consecutive 50s in T20 World Cups

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 2010
Virat Kohli (India) – 2016–2021
Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 2021
KL Rahul (India) – 2021
Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 2026

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