Sri Lanka spinner Kamindu Mendis has made his IPL debut in the ongoing match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Eden Gardens.
Acquired for INR 75 lakh at the 2025 auction, the ambidextrous spinner from Sri Lanka is one of the few from the island country to feature in this IPL edition.

For a player still cementing his place on the global stage, every opportunity counts - and Mendis is reported to have made a huge sacrifice to play in the IPL.
The 25-year-old all-rounder, known for his rare ambidextrous bowling skills-off-spin with the right hand and orthodox spin with the left- brings a unique versatility to the Hyderabad setup. He is also a solid left-handed batter, making him a valuable addition to any T20 lineup. On his debut against KKR, Kamindu got the wicket of Angkrish Raghuvanshi in his very first over as well.
Kamindu Mendis put professional commitment above personal celebration, choosing to cancel his honeymoon plans in order to join Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Mendis recently tied the knot with his long-time partner Nishni at a private ceremony in Sri Lanka. While the couple had initially planned a honeymoon abroad, those plans were shelved following his IPL call-up. Instead, they spent a brief getaway in the scenic hills of Haputale before Mendis packed his bags for India to link up with the SRH squad.
The Sri Lanka player showed immense dedication and hunger to be in the SRH squad and his newly wed wife was also extremely supportive. It is unknown if Nishni travelled with her husband to India but she may well be coming later in the tournament.