IND vs SL: Kamindu Mendis bowls using both his arms in same over against India; fans react

Add as a preferred source on Google

IND vs SL: The sport of cricket, especially the T20 format, is evolving at a rapid pace, and Sri Lanka spinner Kamindu Mendis took it to a whole new level after bowling using both his arms in the first T20I against India in Pallekele on Saturday, July 27.

The 25-year-old ambidextrous bowler from Galle bowled left-arm spin to Suryakumar Yadav, and right-hand spin to Rishabh Pant simultaneously in the same over. Sri Lanka's newly-appointed captain Charith Asalanka brought him into the attack in the 10th over in which he conceded nine runs.

Fans soon took to their social media handles to talk about the extremely rare event. "I have never seen anything like this in cricket before," a fan wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Here is how others reacted.

After being asked to bat first, India got off to a blazing start as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shuman Gill forged a 74-run partnership in just six overs. The two batters got out on successive deliveries before captain Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant took the attack on the Sri Lanka bowlers.

They partnered for 76 off 43 balls, and at the time when Suryakumar Yadav departed for 58 off 26, the Indian scorecard read 150/3 in 13.2 overs. The right-hander brought up his fifty off just 22 balls.

India will play three T20I matches in Sri Lanka before a three-match ODI series which will see the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in action. The tour has also marked the start of Gautam Gambhir's tenure as the head coach of the senior India men's cricket team.