5 knocks that severely affected the bowler's career

#3 Brendon McCullum composes Ajanta Mendis’ swansong

McCullum in action

The New Zealand-Sri Lanka ODI series of 2015 was a highly one sided match-up. Sri Lanka was well past it halcyon days and Kiwis were always an indomitable one-day side at home. Hence expectations were limited even from hard core Sinhalese fans.

In the first ODI at Christchurch, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. But living up to expectations, Lankans were never allowed to score freely. Sri Lanka's batting lineup fell like a pack of cards at the hands of the Kiwi pace attack. With the tail wagging for the Emerald Islanders, Sri Lanka were able to post a respectable 188 in 47 overs.

In reply, New Zealand openers never lifted the foot off the game. Lankan bowlers were left panting with 100 runs coming off the first 10 overs. The attack on Ajanta Mendis was particularly mind blowing. McCullum and Guptill piled on a massive 49 runs off 5 overs of the mystery spinner.

Kiwis breezed through the innings with no hiccups. The target of 188 was reached in just 21 overs. Matt Henry was aptly named the Man of the Match. The match is also remembered as the last one of Ajantha Mendis. His career lost steam post the McCullum attack at Christchurch. He never donned the Lankan colours again.

ODI matches played before the knock: 86

ODI matches played after the knock:0