Kusal Mendis Remains Silent on IPL Regret Question After PSL Match
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis chose not to respond to a question regarding his Indian Premier League (IPL) involvement following a Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 match on Saturday. The incident occurred at the National Stadium in Karachi after his team, Peshawar Zalmi, secured a convincing 76-run victory over Lahore Qalandars.
Post-Match Press Conference Controversy
During the post-match media interaction, a reporter directly questioned Mendis about his decision last year to leave the PSL and join the IPL. The journalist specifically asked whether the cricketer had any "regrets" about joining Gujarat Titans during the season despite initially being part of Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan league.
The reporter framed the question pointedly: "Last year, you withdrew from Pakistan Super League to play for Gujarat Titans midway through the tournament. And you showed some security concerns. And now Pakistan Super League is giving you respect again and they did not pick you again. So, do you have any regret about withdrawing from Pakistan Super League previous year?"
Mendis visibly reacted to the query but offered no verbal response. The situation escalated when the media manager, believed to be from Peshawar Zalmi, intervened by requesting that questions remain limited to PSL 2026 matters. The journalist countered by stating, "It is a PSL question, sir," attempting to justify the relevance of the inquiry.
Background of Mendis' IPL and PSL Journey
The context of this exchange dates back to last year when both the IPL and PSL faced disruptions due to the armed conflict between India and Pakistan following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam region. This geopolitical tension led to several overseas players not returning for the remaining matches in both leagues, forcing teams to seek replacements.
In the IPL, franchises were permitted to sign temporary replacements for the rest of the season, though those players could not be retained for the December mini auction and had to re-enter the player pool. Mendis joined Gujarat Titans as a replacement for Jos Buttler, who departed for national duties in May. The 2022 champions signed him for Rs 75 lakh, marking his IPL debut where he scored 20 runs off 10 balls in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians.
However, Mendis went unsold at the IPL mini auction held in Abu Dhabi last December. Meanwhile, in PSL 2026, Peshawar Zalmi acquired him in the player auction for PKR 4.2 crore, demonstrating the league's renewed confidence in his abilities.
Match Performance and Current Standing
Despite the off-field controversy, Mendis delivered an outstanding performance in the match against Lahore Qalandars. The 31-year-old scored 74 runs off just 48 balls, playing a crucial role in his team's victory and earning the Player of the Match award. This achievement highlights his current form and value to Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing PSL season.
The incident underscores the ongoing sensitivity surrounding player movements between the IPL and PSL, particularly given the historical and political tensions between the two cricketing nations. While Mendis focused on his on-field success, his silence on the IPL question reflects the complex dynamics that international cricketers navigate when participating in leagues across borders.
