Kusal Mendis faced an awkward moment during a post-match press conference after a journalist questioned him about leaving the Pakistan Super League in 2025 to join the Indian Premier League’s Gujarat Titans. Mendis, who was unsold at the IPL auction last year, simply laughed in response to the question. Despite the controversy, Mendis was named Player of the Match for his crucial innings in Peshawar Zalmi’s victory.
Mendis had left PSL 2025 due to security concerns and joined GT as a temporary replacement for Jos Buttler. He went unsold at the IPL auction last year but has returned to PSL for the 2026 season, where he leads the run charts with 241 runs at an average of 60.25. In a recent match against Karachi Kings, he scored a brilliant 109 off 52 balls.
Peshawar’s victory over Lahore Qalandars was highlighted by Mendis’ 74 off 48 balls and strong bowling performances from Michael Bracewell and Sufiyan Muqeem. Peshawar currently leads the standings with four wins in five matches, while Lahore is in sixth position. Mendis’ brief IPL stint with GT in 2025 was marred by criticism for dropping catches in a playoff defeat.
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