Kusal Mendis in top 20 after historic South Africa series

Kusal Mendis, who put up an unbeaten 163-run stand with Oshada Fernando to take Sri Lanka past the finish line, was adjudged Player of the Match. He soared inMRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for Batting, skipping 11 spots to enter the top 20 at No.18.

Fernando also gained in the rankings, sitting at No.65 after jumping 35 spots with a career-best rating of 455. Niroshan Dickwella, who scored an important 42 to take Sri Lanka's total past 150 in the first innings, advanced eight places to grab the 37th spot.

South Africa players, predictably, slipped down the rankings. Dean Elgar, who scored just 43 runs in four innings, moved down by seven spots to No.23. Temba Bavuma also slipped to No.38 (down by five spots).

In the bowlers' rankings, Duanne Olivier and Suranga Lakmal climbed three spots each to No.19 and No.30 respectively. Though South Africa had average returns with the ball, Olivier had a decent series, claiming seven wickets in two games to break into the top 20 early in his career. Vishwa Fernando, the leading wicket-taker with 12 scalps, moved up six places to No.43.

There was no change in the top 15 in the all-rounder's rankings, with Jason Holder retaining his position at the top of the pile.