Wednesday 29 / October / 2025
MUSCAT: It has been half a century since Duleep Mendis first walked out on the global stage of cricket’s biggest spectacle. From representing Sri Lanka in the inaugural Prudential World Cup of 1975 to leading Oman to a historic fourth ICC T20 World Cup appearance in 2025, his journey stands as one of the most remarkable love stories between a man and the World Cup.
“It’s been a long journey — fifty years with the World Cup in one form or another,” Mendis said at the Oman Cricket Academy ground after Oman’s recent qualification for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March.
“Every time, the feeling is the same. The excitement, the anticipation, the pride. It never fades.”
A young player in the dawn of the World Cup
Mendis’s first brush with the World Cup came as a young batter in the 1975 Prudential Cup, when one-day cricket was still experimental.
“They wanted to attract crowds in England because interest in cricket was fading,” he recalled. “It was the first time they tried 60-over games. We played Australia, but things didn’t go as planned — I even ended up in hospital after being hit on the head by Jeff Thomson.”
That baptism of fire didn’t deter him. He went on to represent Sri Lanka in the 1979 and 1983 editions before captaining the national team at the 1987 World Cup — the first after Sri Lanka had gained Test status.
By 1992, Mendis had transitioned to the role of head coach for Sri Lanka at the Benson & Hedges World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Four years later, he played a pivotal off-field role in one of cricket’s greatest fairy tales.
“In 1996, I was the team manager and also chairman of selectors,” he said.
“That was a proud moment — we won the World Cup, beating Australia in the final. I still believe it was one of the greatest achievements of Sri Lankan cricket.”
It was during those years that Mendis’s cricketing instincts shaped modern Sri Lankan cricket. Alongside coach Dav Whatmore, he promoted Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana to open the batting — a strategy known as pinch-hitting, which revolutionised one-day cricket.
“We told them, you have a free license to go after the bowlers. And it worked beautifully,” Mendis said with a chuckle.
After stepping away from active coaching, Mendis served as director of the National Development Centre and CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket between 2000 and 2010, continuing to shape the game’s future at the administrative level.
“I have been lucky to see the game from every angle — as a player, coach, selector, and administrator,” he reflected. “Every stage has taught me something new.”
A new chapter in Oman
In 2012, Mendis received a call that would change the course of cricket in Oman. Oman Cricket’s present chairman, Pankaj Khimji, invited him to visit and help structure the country’s cricketing framework. “I didn’t know much about Oman cricket,” Mendis said. “But I like challenges. I came here, met the people, saw the passion, and decided to stay.”
The decision paid off handsomely. Under his stewardship, Oman transformed from a promising Associate member into one of the most consistent teams in the region.
Oman qualified for their maiden ICC T20 World Cup in 2016 and recorded one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by stunning Test-playing Ireland in Dharamsala — a result that helped Oman get the cricketing spotlight.
“That win over Ireland was huge,” Mendis recalled. “It gave Oman the confidence that we could compete at this level. And since then, we’ve just kept building.”
Oman have qualified for the 2021 T20 World Cup — which they also co-hosted with the UAE — and again for the 2024 and 2025 editions, making it four qualifications in just nine years, a record for any Asian associate nation.
The latest qualification came on home soil in 2025, with Oman finishing second behind Nepal in a tough nine-team tournament.
“We’ve shown that Oman can play with the best,” says Mendis. “Now the next goal is to not just participate but to make a real impact — to win matches against the big teams.”
For Mendis, success in Oman has been as much about development as it has been about results. “When I first came, the players were raw,” he said. “They had talent and ability but lacked the finishing touch. We worked hard on skills, discipline, and the mental side of the game. Today, Oman has ODI status, and we are competing in back-to-back T20 World Cups. That says everything.”
He’s quick to credit the Oman Cricket board for the transformation. “The board has always backed me — that’s been the key,” he emphasised.
“You can’t achieve anything if the coach and the board are not together. Here, the support from His Excellency Pankaj Khimji, Madhu Jesrani, Alkesh Joshi and the other directors has been tremendous. They’ve given me freedom and trust, and that’s why we’ve succeeded.”
Mendis added: “The support of experienced Indian coach Sulakshan Kulkarni, who joined Oman Cricket as my deputy three months ago, has been both fruitful and productive. Our performances during the Asia Cup and the World Cup Qualifier are a testimony to the hard work put in by the entire support staff.”
Still learning, still loving the game
At 73, Mendis remains as passionate and hands-on as ever. “You never stop learning in cricket,” he said. “Even after all these years, I’m still discovering new things. You just have to stay humble and open-minded.”
As Oman prepare for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, Mendis’s focus remains clear: development, consistency, and belief.
“It’s been fifty years with the World Cup — from playing, coaching, managing, to now guiding Oman,” he said with a gentle smile. “It’s like a lifelong love affair. And I’m still enjoying every moment of it.”
