Mendis began a trend that continues to be emulated by spinners across the globe even now - bowling deliveries spinning either way with the surprise of one even going straight and quicker through the arm. He even started the "carrom ball" - by only flicking the fingers through the ball - and was hugely successful in his initial years.

At the Asia Cup in Pakistan just months after his debut, Mendis bamboozled one batsman after another, claiming 17 wickets at an astonishing average of 8.53 in five games, including two five-wicket hauls, one of which - in the final against India - gave Sri Lanka the title. By next January, he had bagged the record of being the fastest to 50 ODI wickets - off just 19 matches - eclipsing Ajit Agarkar's record set way back in 1998, a feat he continues to hold.

Following success in ODIs - where he ended up averaging just 21.87 - Mendis was immediately summoned to play India in the home Tests in July 2008, where again he had an instant impact with 26 scalps in the three games. Inevitably, a T20 debut for Sri Lanka remained within sights, with his mystery spin estimated to restrict big-hitting batsmen in the shortest format. Again, he came up with 4 for 15 on debut against Zimbabwe, against whom he would also go on to bag figures of 6 for 8 at the World T20 at home in 2012 - still the best in a T20 international.

But with time and experience, Mendis' mysteries started getting discovered as the opposition batsmen figured him out. He became predictable with his carrom balls and slowly the form started waning. With competition for spin-bowling slots always high in the Sri Lankan set-up - those were the days of Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath - the attention from Mendis began moving away.

Injuries played their role in Mendis' career since 2014, leading him to miss selection for the World Cup next year, though he had picked up 7 wickets in the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent, including 3 for 35 in the semi-final against New Zealand. Overall, Mendis played 19 Tests, 87 ODIs, and 39 T20s for Sri Lanka and went about setting a trend that spinners still find attractive.