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‘Hum tumhe kuch nahin kahenge, tumhare team suspended hai’ – Fans react as Kusal Mendis apoligizes for his statement on Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI hundred
Sri Lanka stand-in skipper Kusal Mendis got himself into a controversy last weekend. Apparently, in the pre-match press conference (November 5) of the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, he was asked about his words on Virat Kohli scoring his 49th ODI hundred. Early on that day, the former India skipper equaled Sachin Tendulkar’s record against South Africa.
In reply, he said “Why I would congratulate him?”. This statement had divided the fans on the social media. However, exactly a week later, the right-hander has apologized for his statements.
I was not aware about Virat Kohli’s milestone: Kusal Mendis
During the last week, a lot has happened in the Sri Lanka cricket. The entire board members were sacked under the local Sports Ministry Law. The Apex Council wasn’t happy with this development and has suspended the membership of the board. Not to forget, the local Sri Lanka court has put a stay order on Arjuna Ranatunga-led interim committee to take over the board.
Apart from this, thanks to their loss to Bangladesh and New Zealand, they have finished ninth in the points table. This means that the Lankan Lions will miss the Champions Trophy 2025. For the first time in their history, they will miss playing the ‘Mini World Cup’. Due to their suspension by the Apex Council, the team might also miss out on the T20 World Cup 2024.
“On that day I went for the press conference and I was not aware that Virat had scored a century, When suddenly that journalist asked that question, I didn’t know what to say, And also I didn’t understand the question clearly. Scoring 49 ODI tons is not an easy job to do, Virat is one of the brilliant cricketers in the world, later I realized what I said was absolutely wrong,” he said, as quoted by Sri Lanka’s Asian Mirror.
“I now feel I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did,” said Mendis.
This is how Twitter reacted
I don’t blame Kusal Mendis for what happened at PC.
It was Sri Lanka Match Press Conference and he was looking for questions related to that, sometimes it becomes iritating when you drag India everywhere coz it is World Cup not India’s domestic trophy.
I stand with Mendis❤️
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) November 12, 2023
Software update of Mendis and his pakistani sons. pic.twitter.com/7kfMOQH0PN
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) November 12, 2023
I heard some experts here saying that it wasn’t India’s press conference.
Of course right, but when he was asked about Kohlis hundred he should have simply said I don’t know and all. What exactly triggered was his attitude 💯
— Manu (@virat_facts) November 12, 2023
Sachin Tendulkar – I hope Virat break my record in the coming days.
Virat Kohli – Sachin is my hero, I’m never gonna be as good as him.
– Team India is blessed to have such icons!
— Im_fab (@Im_fab1211) November 12, 2023
I stand with Mendis. When the match is not against Sri Lanka, he is expecting questions related to their game and suddenly drag Kohli and India between questions, seriously very poor Journalism. And what even if he would have congratulated Kohli? That wouldn’t be the story.
— Sagar Khandelwal (@Khandelw13Sagar) November 12, 2023
Software updated
— 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭!𝟎𝐧_👑🚩 (@bholination) November 12, 2023
Medins is suffering here😂
— Manu (@virat_facts) November 12, 2023
Ha ha he got fear now 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Priyanga Praveen (@mpravin003) November 12, 2023
The reason you don’t know 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/qExiBP4pll
— Psycho ツ (@PsychoO_Says) November 12, 2023
Ye janta to srilanka ki Lanka na lagti pic.twitter.com/meBHjiwI9f
— Gyanendra Kumar (@Gyanendraboudh) November 12, 2023