WATCH: Kusal Mendis refuses to congratulate Virat Kohli for his 49th ODI ton milestone

Virat Kohli, the stalwart of Indian cricket, marked his 35th birthday with a historic century in the 37th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 against South Africa. Kohli’s magnificent innings of 101 not out not only secured a victory for the Indian team but also helped him to equal the world record for the most ODI centuries, a record previously held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. 

However, amidst the widespread acclaim, a peculiar incident unfolded during a press conference with Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis. When asked about congratulating Kohli for his record-equalling century, Mendis responded with a surprising, “Why would I congratulate him?” followed by laughter. This reaction has left many perplexed and is circulating on social media.

Watch the video here:

It looked like Mendis was expecting a match-related question but the reporter went out of the box to ask him about Kohli’s milestone. And it was quite visible that the Sri Lankan skipper wasn’t really pleased with the question.

Sri Lanka’s poor performance in the World Cup

Sri Lanka’s journey in the World Cup 2023 has been fraught with challenges. After an injury sidelined Dasun Shanaka, Mendis took on the captaincy. The team has managed to secure only 2 victories out of seven matches, accumulating a total of four points and currently occupying the seventh position in the points table. Despite their recent wins, Sri Lanka‘s chances of reaching the semi-finals are almost over. Their upcoming fixture against Bangladesh, who are already out of the World Cup, will be crucial in determining their fate in the tournament.

This monumental achievement has left cricket fans in awe, praising Kohli’s exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. The match played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, was a memorable one for Kohli as he reached his 49th ODI century, bringing him level with Tendulkar. 

With just one more century needed to surpass the record, Kohli is on the cusp of etching his name in the annals of cricketing history. His remarkable consistency and ability to chase milestones have made him a true modern-day great in the sport.