Sri Lanka fielding coach Steve Rixon lavished praise on Kusal Mendis, saying he is going to become a classy player in world cricket and people will go ‘wow’ with his batting.

Rixon was highly impressed with the way Mendis, who played match-winning knocks of 84* in the second Test to help Islanders to win a historic Test series 2-0. Rixon was quoted saying there is no one could play better than the 24-year-old in the world.

As per reports in The Papare, Rixon stated, “Kusal Mendis will go onto become a classy player in world cricket. He plays some proper cricket shots. I don't see them played any better in the world. I am seeing a bit of class in Mendis. We need to keep him relaxed so the class can come out.”

Lankan coach further added on the right-hander, “The kid is only 24 years of age. He needs a lot of mentoring. But you don't want to take any individuality away from him. The kid has got something special in him. As time goes on, we will see him expand. He is still in the infant stage and has got some self-doubt. But the reality is, he is class. People will see greater things from him as time goes on. The more we see him, the more we are going to say 'wow'.”

Meanwhile, Rixon was impressed with the attitude of the Lankan side after their losses in the Trans-Tasman tour, saying the players feel happier about themselves after South Africa Test series win.  

Rixon signed off by saying, “In New Zealand and Australia, I didn't see a lot of adjustments but from Australia to South Africa, I have seen a change in mental attitude and the way we have gone about our training, which has got smarter. Players feel happier about themselves. Obviously, winning that Test match in Durban was a once in a lifetime experience. It was a case of someone playing out of their skin. That added belief to the young kids who are coming along.”

(With The Papare Inputs)